USDA has selected 144 businesses and producers in 37 states and Puerto Rico to receive 19.7-million dollars in value-added grants. U.S. Ag Secretary Ed Schafer says the grants will improve financial returns and help create jobs for ag producers, businesses and families throughout rural America. He says the funds will also provide for the further development of renewable energy sources.

Value-Added Producer Grants are provided by Rural Development and can be used for feasibility studies or business plans - working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products - those products that increase the consumer value of an ag commodity in production or processing - and for farm-based renewable energy projects.

This latest round of funding will help businesses and producers assess the feasibility of marketing ethanol and biodiesel, cooking oil, wind and other types of renewable energy. Several non-energy business ventures are also receiving funding.