USDA Rural Development Colorado Backs Producers with Funding for Value-Added Agriculture

USDA Rural Development State Director for Colorado Sallie Clark joined representatives from Miraflora Wagyu LLC in Longmont today to announce the awarding of $280,470 to three agricultural producers in Colorado through the USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program. Entities can utilize these grant funds to develop value added agricultural products, conduct market research, and implement business and marketing strategies.

"The grants awarded today demonstrate USDA's continued commitment to strengthening Colorado's agricultural economy," said Clark. "By supporting producers as they develop new products, expand markets and increase the value of what they grow and raise, we're helping to create new revenue opportunities and long-term economic resilience in rural communities across Colorado". Miraflora Wagyu LLC will use working capital grant funding to expand their customer base and agricultural production of meat stick and jerky products. Miraflora farm has been family-owned since its inception and is USDA-certified as an organic farm in Boulder County. The funding will assist with processing, packaging, shipping, and marketing of the meat stick and jerky products, while creating and preserving jobs in the county.

USDA Rural Development also announced the following projects that received VAPG funding:
• Rocky Mountain Mugolio, LLC located in Estes Park, Colorado will use working capital funding for marketing, purchasing supplies, product processing, and hired labor expenses related to making their pinecone syrups. This product expansion will bring growth to this family operation, as well as additional jobs to Larimer County.
• Mountain View Feeders, Inc., a family farm operation in Fort Collins, Colorado will utilize working capital funds to assist with marketing, transportation, shipping costs, and supply purchases to assist in the processing of a variety of new shelf stable beef snack products. This product expansion will allow for the creation of additional jobs in Larimer County.

Applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 VAPG program are currently being accepted through 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), April 22, 2026. To begin an application in Colorado, contact Bill Chester, [email protected] or Robert McElroy, [email protected] or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants.