110. Ellen Rawley on Value Added Farm Finance

What is the Value Added Producer Grant, what can it do for your farm, and what does it take to be eligible for it? Joining us today is creative agriculture strategist Ellen Rawley. Ellen works with farms doing custom product development, product launches, trafficking and certifications, and much more. She works with local & artisan food products made in-house or by real-food co-packers as well as branded products for retail stores (brick and mortar & online). As some of you know, the Value Added Producer Grant deadline is approaching fast, which is why, for this episode, we’ll be focusing on the details of this grant, how you can get it, and what it can do for your farm’s finance!    You’ll hear:  How Ellen got started in creative strategy 1:58 What Ellen considers to be value added products 3:56 About value added rewards 6:08 Some common reasons why people opt out of doing value added 10:54 What the Value Added Producer Grant can do for farmers 16:37 What you need to be eligible for the Value Added Producer Grant 20:30 What farmers can get grants for 29:26 What Ellen’s advice is for those aiming for the grant 34:36 Where you can learn more about Ellen and how she can help your farm 37:38   About the Guest:Ellen Rawley, founder of Ellen Rawley Creative & Strategy, works with farmers and other integrity-based product businesses to launch & sell profitable products. Her specialties include cGMP and organic compliance, product development, and go-to-market strategy. Her interest in values-based markets has led her to study the success of the fair trade movement in Germany and England, to launch a jam line for an olive oil ranch that was featured in the debut of Martha Stewart's American Made shop, and to found Ellen Rawley Creative & Strategy. Products she has helped launch can be found in grocery stores like Mollie Stones, specialty shops like BiRite market, magazines like Food & Wine, and high-end spas like the Mohonk Mountain Resort.  She believes that products made with passion and conviction can change our relationship to the land and to each other.    Resources: Value Added Producer Grant Information:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants Website - www.ellenrawley.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EllenRawleyConsulting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rawleycreativestrategy/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-rawley-a2894b24/