USDA Awards Value-Added Producer Grant to Shumway Farms, LLC

(Afton, Wy., October 5, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Wyoming State Director Tyler Harrison today announced the agency is awarding $172,000 through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program to Shumway Farms in Lincoln County.

"As part of the 'Farmers First' priority, President Trump and Secretary Brooke Rollins are committed to lifting up small and family run agricultural producers who form the backbone of our rural communities," said Harrison. "Support for operations like Shumway Farms helps local businesses grow, strengthens regional food systems, and ensures that rural producers have the resources they need to thrive."

"The VAPG grant funds will propel us into a great position to make our ice cream and skyr yogurt products available to more customers and expand our market exposure," said Shumway Farms Owner Jon Shumway. "We will continue to be a business that helps grow the local economy.

This investment will be used to assist Shumway Farms expand their customer base by providing working capital funds to be used for processing labor, marketing supplies, and delivery of their value-added ice cream products. The farm is a 6th generation dairy and creamery, which raises pasture-fed cows to create high-quality ice cream and specialty skyr yogurt.

USDA Rural Development's Value-Added Producer Grant Program helps agricultural producers generate new products, create or expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity, and transportation infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov .

###