USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grants: Cheat Sheet for Farmers
TLDR*: The USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is giving farmers and ranchers up to $250,000 to turn raw products into something more profitable. We’re giving an overview to prepare you to write the grant. The USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) helps farmers and ranchers turn their raw products into something more profitable—think fruit into jam, wheat into flour, or agritourism ventures. Grants go up to $250,000 and require a 1:1 match. If you’re a small farm, beginning farmer, or socially disadvantaged producer, you might get priority. Deadline: April 17. Need help? We recommend working with a grant writer or at least a consultant because this is a very hard grant to get—more on that below. What’s the VAPG Grant About? The VAPG helps farmers increase profits by adding value to their raw products. Whether it’s processing, marketing, or expanding your sales channels, this grant gives you funds to develop a business plan or cover working capital expenses for a value-added product. Think: A dairy farm starting a cheese-making operation A wheat farmer launching a small-batch flour brand A fruit grower selling jams and preserves A ranch offering agritourism experiences Who’s Eligible? Farmers, ranchers, cooperatives, and producer-based business ventures can apply. This is important to understand because makes it harder to get this funding. You are competing against a lot of agribusinesses around the nation. You may get priority if you are: A beginning farmer A veteran farmer A socially disadvantaged farmer A small or medium-sized family farm A farmer cooperative Proposing a mid-tier value chain Not sure if you qualify? Take the VAPG Self-Assessment Survey. Things to Consider Before Applying This all sounds good, right? Keep this in mind as well: Grants require a 1:1 match, meaning if you apply for $100,000, you need to bring $100,000 in cash, in-kind contributions, or loans. It’s highly competitive—plan ahead and work with a grant writer. Applications require detailed business and marketing plans. Need help with that? Contact us for business and marketing plan assistance! Funds can cover planning (business plans, feasibility studies) or working capital (marketing, processing, inventory). What This Grant Will NOT Cover VAPG does NOT fund: ❌ Regular farming activities like planting, harvesting, or transporting raw commodities.❌ Research and development for new products (your value-added product should already be viable).❌ Purchasing or repairing land, buildings, or equipment (beyond office and computer needs).❌ Paying salaries to owners or family members.❌ Grant application costs or lobbying efforts. Grant Writer Recommendations Talk with the Team How to Get Started Register with SAM.gov – This can take WEEKS, so start early. (This is needed for ALL grants). Take the VAPG Self-Assessment Survey – See if you qualify. Work with a Grant Writer – We recommend connecting with an expert to increase your chances of success. Prepare Your Application – Gather your business plan, marketing strategy, and matching funds details. This is a TOUGH application with lots of pieces, so make sure you set aside lots of time for it! Submit via the USDA Grant Application Portal before the deadline. Need help? We recommend working with a grant writer to navigate the process. We can give you recommendations for grant writers. Click on the “Grant Writer Recommendations” button above. Want More Funding Opportunities? Sign up for our weekly funding email alerts to stay updated on farm grants, loans, cost shares and other opportunities in two steps: Take our FREE Funding Eligibility Survey Sign Up for Weekly Email Alerts *TLDR means too long didn’t read; it’s the summary of this article. We know you’re busy, so we want to let you know what’s going on in 30 seconds or less. Let’s Talk! The VAPG requires for you to develop business and marketing plans for your proposed value-added product. We can help with that, find 15 minutes below to see how we can help you.
Why Every Farmer Needs a Bookkeeper Who Actually Gets Farming
Learn About Farm Bookkeeping Support TLDR*: You need a bookkeeper who understands your farm’s needs. We offer affordable monthly bookkeeping and financial services for farmers, so they can focus on their farm business. Running a farm is more than just planting, harvesting, and taking care of livestock. It’s a full-fledged business, and like any business, financial management can make or break you. The problem? Farming comes with its own set of financial challenges—seasonal income, fluctuating market prices, unpredictable expenses, and the constant changes in tax laws. Farmers need someone who need someone who understands all the wonderful but weird aspects of a farm business, and a regular bookkeeper may not get it. That’s why having a bookkeeper who actually understands agriculture isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a game-changer. Here’s why: 1. Farmers Fill Out Different Tax Forms Than Other Small Businesses If we had a nickel for every time we heard of a farmer facing an IRS headache because their accountant submitted Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) instead of Schedule F (Profit or Loss from Farming), we’d be retired on a big Montana ranch by now. Not only do you want to make sure your bookkeeper knows what these tax forms are, you want them to set up your books to make it super easy to fill them out. A good agriculture bookkeeper will set this up right from day one (and we even draft Schedule F for our Essentials & Premium customers!) 2. We Understand that Not Everything is Straightforward We understand that multiple revenue streams exist – whether you’re selling at farmers’ markets, through CSAs, online, co-op payments, government payments from crop insurance or NRCS programs, other agribusinesses (processing, value-added products, agritourism) or directly to stores, your income may come from multiple places. A good bookkeeper helps organize all those sources. We also know that your finances may not all be in one place. Some of our farmers use Square for market sales, QuickBooks for general accounting, and another system for tracking grants or farm subsidies. We’ve seen it all, from FarmBooks, FarmRaise, Xero, or another platform, a good bookkeeper understands how to consolidate and make sense of multiple platforms can save you hours of frustration. Learn about Financial Services Talk with the Team 2. Special Deductions and Write-Offs apply Tax season is here, and you might be missing out on deductions. We keep good records to make it easier for you to find legal deductions, create a budget, and have a good foundation for cash flow management. Farm tax laws allow for unique deductions, such as equipment depreciation and conservation expenses. We help farmers navigate the complexity that comes from living on the farm where their mortgage and utility bills might be split between farm and personal books. Better records = better decisions. 3. Income is Seasonal (So are Expenses) You have to consider harvest season, selling at markets, and other factors that changes your farm revenue. A knowledgeable bookkeeper helps manage cash flow so you can cover expenses year-round. We also understand that expenses are seasonal since farmers often purchase inputs at the beginning of the year. We account for that, too. 4. Unexpected Expenses Happen Equipment breaks down, weather impacts crops, or feed costs spike. Having someone who knows how to adjust budgets and plan ahead makes these surprises easier to handle. Plus, having a knowledgable bookkeeper can help you prepare for a loan when needed. We’re Not CPAs, We’re Just Really Good at Numbers While we specialize in farm bookkeeping and financial services, we are not Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). We work alongside farmers to manage daily finances, organize records, and provide insights, but we recommend consulting a CPA for tax filing and legal financial matters. Affordability Matters—And We Get It We know that every dollar counts on the farm, so our bookkeeping services are designed to be affordable while still giving you the financial clarity you need. We believe in transparency in our prices, we can tell you what your one-time and monthly cost is upfront. Whether you’re a small family farm or a larger operation, we offer flexible pricing to fit your budget—so you get expert financial support without breaking the bank. *TLDR means too long didn’t read; it’s the summary of this article. We know you’re busy, so we want to let you know what’s going on in 30 seconds or less.
Preparing for Tax Season Webinar Recording
https://youtu.be/HrNnLMA86hI This is the third webinar in our Winter Webinar . This was designed for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses ready to take their financial management to the next level! In this session, Missed our “Preparing for Tax Season” webinar? No worries—we’ve got the full recording for you! In this session, Darrell K. Tennie, CEO of The Tennie Group, and Allen Osorio, Good Agriculture’s Financial Lead, break down key tax strategies for farmers to keep more money in their pockets and stay compliant. Topics Covered: We offer affordable bookkeeping and financial services designed just for farmers.Topics included: Choosing the right business entity (Sole Prop, LLC, S-Corp & more) Record-keeping tips to maximize deductions & avoid IRS headaches How depreciation can lower your taxable income Why separating personal & business finances is a game-changer Filing requirements & must-know tax deadlines If you missed previous webinars, or want to relive the fun again, visit our Webinar Series page. Prepare for Tax SeasonWe’re here to make tax season easier for farmers. Whether you need your books cleaned up or Schedule F Form 1040 Schedule F and Form 4562 drafting with Good Agriculture, or you want to get your taxes files with The Tennie Group, we can help you get your business on track. Contact Good Agriculture Contact the Tennie Group Special Offer: 40% Off 2 Months Need to get your bookkeeping in order? Want to know how much cash you have on hand throughout the year? We’re offering 40% off the first two months of our Financial Services. If you want to learn more, find 15 minutes to talk.
Federal Funding Freeze – What Does This Mean for Farmers?
Get 30 Days Free Weekly Alerts TDLR*: We’re as confused as you are, but this is what we know so far about the federal funding freeze. Because all of of this uncertainty, we want to help farmers and ranchers by giving you 30 days free of weekly funding email alerts. The Federal Funding Freeze: What Happened and Where Things Stand There’s many moving parts, making this confusing, so here’s what we know so far about the federal funding freeze: The Timeline January 28: The White House budget office ordered a pause on all federal grants, loans, and financial assistance programs, according to a memo released Monday. Later that day: A federal judge temporarily blocked the funding freeze, issuing a stay that lasts until Monday, Feb. 3. The ruling applies only to existing programs. January 29: The Office of Management and Budget rescinded the memo that called for the freeze but left the broader spending review in place. The administration says federal agencies should consult legal counsel about how to implement the executive orders on funding. January 31: A second federal judge issued another temporary pause, siding with nearly two dozen states challenging the freeze. The ruling prevents most federal agencies from halting funding while the case moves forward. The administration opposed the ruling, calling it “sweeping relief.” February 3: The first federal judge extended the block on the federal funding freeze. This was due to several non-profit organizations claiming they were struggling to receive promised funds. February 11: Some farmers have reported issues with USDA funding being frozen, including funds related to conservation programs established under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The USDA has also informed some farmers that their contracts with the NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) have been frozen, with no clear timeline for when they will be released. The situation is still evolving. While the freeze has technically been lifted, legal challenges continue, and the broader review of federal spending is still in place. Stay Updated We’re tracking this through these non-partisan sources: AP News NPR PBS News Our Offer: 30 Days Free of Weekly Funding Alerts To ease the whiplash of the funding freeze saga, we want to make sure that farmers and ranchers are aware of the funding opportunities available for the farm. So, while the powers that be figure things out, we’re flipping the script: we’re giving you 30 days free of weekly funding email alerts (or longer if until the situation is fully resolved). Take Funding-Matching Survey Get 30 Days Free Weekly Alerts During this time, we’ll keep you updated on the status of federal programs along with state/local programs, nonprofit programs, and private programs in our weekly email funding alerts. We know that these programs are a lifeline for the farming industry, and uncertainty is the last thing anyone needs right now. What is this service and why do you need it? We keep you updated on the latest funding opportunities for your farm, saving hours of time searching. How this works: we send farmers and ranchers weekly email funding alerts that includes local, state, regional, and federal grants, loans, and cost-shares. Since we’re in a limbo, we’ll keep you updated on the status of federal programs (and state/local programs, nonprofit programs, and private programs). Once the freeze is officially over, we will continue to send funding email alerts your way. To get weekly email alerts, you must take our free funding-matching survey, so we know what funding opportunities fit your farm. *TLDR means too long didn’t read; it’s the summary of this article. We know you’re busy, so we want to let you know what’s going on in 30 seconds or less.
Prepare for Tax Season with Us and a Tax Professional
Ah, tax season—the most wonderful time of the year, right? Okay, maybe not, but we’re here to make it a whole lot easier for you. Whether you’re staring at a stack of receipts/bank statements or wondering how to tackle those tax forms, we’ve got your back. Join us for our Preparing for Tax Season Webinar happening on February 18, at 6:30 p.m. EST. We’re bringing together a team to help farmers like you get through tax season with less stress and more confidence. We’re not CPAs, so we’re excited to have Darrell Tennie, MBA, MA, from The Tennie Group out of Raleigh, North Carolina join us to share professional advice for farmers and agribusinesses. Topics Include Preparing your books for tax season – learn how to stay on top of monthly bookkeeping to make tax prep smoother (and never miss a deduction). Complying with (and minimizing) all kinds of taxes farmers have to pay – we’ll cover federal and state income taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, and property taxes Filing your taxes efficiently – We’ll dive into smart strategies to help you save time and avoid headaches when it’s time to file. No matter where and how you farm, you have to file taxes, so this webinar is for you. Tax prep isn’t one-size-fits-all, but we’ll help you understand the essentials and connect you with resources that make sense for your operation. Register for Webinar Talk with the Team And check out our blog Preparing Your Farm for Tax Season too. We cover farm income Schedule F, not Schedule C, Form 4562, W-2s for your employees, 1099s for your contractors, and all the other tax-related acronyms you need to know. Learn More About Darrell Tennie Darrell Tennie, MBA, MA, is the Chief Executive Officer of The Tennie Group. They’re experts in agriculture taxation, agriculture payroll and crop insurance and finding opportunities to help farmers succeed through agribusiness development. They’ve been helping farmers since 2014. Learn More Got a Question? Let’s Talk! If you have a question for us, let’s find 15 minutes to answer your questions. Find a time below that works for you.
Advanced Farm Financial Management Webinar Recording
https://youtu.be/_OpwwsFwUvY?si=3QkCi3rCfefrZ-tO This webinar was designed for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses ready to take their financial management to the next level! In this session, Alex, CEO of Good Agriculture, and Allen, Farmer Financial Lead, covered advanced strategies to strengthen your farm’s financial foundation. Topics covered strategies to help farmers manage their money and make smart financial decisions. Topics included: Breaking down your farm’s profitability by enterprise (because knowing where your money comes from matters). Cash flow management and budgeting tools to keep your operation running smoothly. Tips for accurate cost allocation—because every dollar should have a purpose. We also walked through a real-life case study to show how better bookkeeping and scenario planning can help avoid cash flow problems. Plus, we shared some handy Excel templates you can use right now to stay on top of your finances. Download the templates below. Preparing for Tax SeasonSign up for the Preparing for Tax Season Webinar on Feb. 18 at 6:30 PM EST. We’ll dive deeper into understanding financial statements like income and cash flow statements and more. The team will be back to give you tools and suggestions that will help you tackle your taxes with confidence. If you missed previous webinars, or want to relive the fun again, visit our Webinar Series page. Register for Webinar Get Financial Management Template Special Offer: $200 Off – Ends Jan. 31! We’re all about making farm finances simpler, and right now, check out our $200 off offer on either onboarding for our monthly services or a one-time financial cleanup until Jan. 31.
The Farmer’s Sense
It doesn’t get talked about often enough, but I honestly think that farmers have a superpower. I think farmers have a sixth sense. I call it “The Farmer’s Sense.”