LINCOLN, NEB. (JANUARY 27, 2010)-The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and Nebraska Rural Development Commission have awarded $360,634 in Agricultural Innovation and Value-Added Ag (VAA) grant funding for 14 awards.

"These grant awards not only make a difference to the recipients, they make a tremendous difference to the impacted communities and regions," said M.L. Martin, Commission Chair. "They represent true economic stimulus."

Part of the Nebraska Advantage incentive package, the program is administered by the Nebraska Rural Development Commission.  The Agricultural Innovation and Value-Added Agriculture grant program supports the collaborative development of farming and ranching; the start-up and growth of value-added agricultural enterprises; and growth of rural communities and regions.

Farm to Fork

Garden Fresh Vegetables, LLC, was awarded $30,421 to provide daily access to locally grown/produced food at an indoor farmer's market.  Grant funds will provide materials for remodeling and support for other project expenses.  Cash and in-kind match will be provided by Garden Fresh Vegetables, LLC of O'Neill.  Contact M.L. Cole at 402-336-4800.

Hollenbeck Farms

A grant for $29,500 was awarded to Hollenbeck Farms to establish a facility that provides direct market access to locally raised sustainable agricultural products.  Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment.  Myron Hollenbeck and Marcy Hollenbeck will provide the cash match.  Contact Myron Hollenbeck, Jr.  at 402-867-4288.

Organic Soybean Processing Facility Study

Tom Brennan Farms and Livestock and James Brennan Farm were awarded $12,215 to complete a feasibility study on a segregated organic soybean processing facility and determine the marketability of identity preserved products.  Cash match will be provided by Tom Brennan and James Brennan of Overton.  Contact Tom Brennan at 308-987-2213.

Wingsets Aromatherapy

An award of $15,500 was made to Wingsets Aromatherapy of Lincoln.  The company has a value-added business offering Nebraskans an opportunity to turn yucca plants into income.  Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment and assist with product marketing.  Wingsets Aromatherapy will provide the cash and in-kind match.  Contact Ann Wooledge at 402-489-1885.

Branding the Southeast Nebraska Wine Trail

The Southeast Nebraska wine growers were awarded $16,344 for their project to brand and market the regional wineries.  The grant will assist with efforts to develop a brand and web site and to publicize the region through various media.  Financial and in-kind support for the project will be provided by SchillingBridge Winery & Microbrewery, Pawnee City; Deer Springs Winery, Lincoln; Soaring Wings Vineyard, Springfield; WunderRosa Winery, Roca; Glacial Till Vineyards, Palmyra; James Arthur Vineyards, Raymond; Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard and Winery, Brownville; and Windcrest Winery, Raymond.  Contact Sharon Schilling at 402-852-2400.

Pheasant Oak Wine Confections 2

Pheasant Oak Vineyard Confections was awarded $65,000 for equipment and marketing expenses as they expand their line of wine flavored ice cream and sorbets increasing the use of Nebraska wines and dairy products and encouraging rural employment.  Cash and in-kind support will be provided by Pheasant Oak Vineyard Confections of Brainard. Contact Kari Samuelson at 402-709-8651.

Basset Meat Processing Plant Study

The City of Bassett was awarded $5,000 to initiate a series of studies to determine the feasibility of opening a meat processing plant.  In-kind match for the grant will be provided by the City of Bassett. Contact Debbie Seberger 402-684-3319

Converting Tomatoes into Snack Chips

Medinger's Market was awarded a grant of $15,975 to increase capacity to process locally grown tomatoes into snack chips and develop internet marketing.  Grant funds will be used to assist in construction and equipping of a commercial kitchen. Additional project funds will be used for ecommerce expenses.  Cash and in-kind match will be provided by Don Medinger of Seward. Contact Don Medinger at 402-795-2233.

Bonus Cattle Ranching Conferences

$10,000 was awarded to a consortium to develop and hold conferences to provide ranchers with information on value-added enterprises such as agri-tourism, guided hunting, farmers' markets, forestry and guest ranching.  In-kind match support will be provided by UNL Extension in Dawes County;  Northwest Nebraska High Country, Chadron; Chadron State College Ag Club; and Sandhills Resource Conservation and Development Council, Thedford.  Contact Jenne Wicks at 402-472-1825.

Compost Coop

Compost Coop was awarded $49,600 to continue formulating, developing, manufacturing, and marketing pelletized compost products for the emerging organic lawn care industry.  In-kind match will be provided by Compost Coop members from Milford and Wisner. Contact Jennifer Penny at 402-761-2053.

North Central Nebraska Biomass Project

An award of $13,820 was made to the Loup Basin Resource Conservation and Development council, Ord, for a feasibility study on biomass conversion of harvested cedar trees and other wood sources to burnable pellets or bricks.  Partnering in the project and providing in-kind support are the North Central Resource Conservation and Development Council, Bassett, and Howard Glines and Mike Valasek, Jr. Contact Sheila Luoma at 308-728-3393.

Cow-Calf Match and Inventory Project

Midwest MicroSystems was awarded $17,500 to implement a high frequency RFID pilot for use in Nebraska cow-calf operations.  The project is anticipated to demonstrate efficient matching of cows to progeny and inventory control.  Grant funds will be used to supplement the hiring of an intern and other project expenses.  Cash and in-kind support will be provided by Midwest MicroSystems, Lincoln, and Destron Fearing, St. Paul, MN. Contact Timothy Davis at 402-323-6969.

Improved Honey Extraction

$66,659 was awarded to Pat and Racheal Chandler and Eric Evenson for the purchase of automatic honey extraction equipment.  The extraction equipment is anticipated to significantly increase the amount of honey that can be extracted daily thereby enhancing the amount of product that can be market ready.  Pat and Racheal Chandler, Anselmo, and Eric Evenson, Gothenberg, will provide the cash and in-kind match.  Contact Racheal Chandler at 308-880-1134.

Nibbly Jibbits Equipment

Nibbly Jibbits has been awarded $13,100 to purchase equipment allowing the business to expand production and add staff.  Nibbly Jibbits produces horse and dog treats from local grains. Cash and in-kind support will be provided by Nibbly Jibbits of Chadron. Contact Leala Jimerson at 308-432-3260.

For more information about the VAA grants, visit www.neded.org/content/view/120/309/, or contact Linda Fettig at 308-380-4966 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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