During a visit to Mere Point Oyster Company in Brunswick on May 7, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Maine State Director John Butera announced that the USDA has invested a total of $1.2 million to benefit five businesses in Maine through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program.

Mere Point Oyster Company received $207,805 to assist with working capital to enhance processing, expand marketing efforts and cover hired labor costs associated with their locally produced Mere Point oysters, strengthening their reach and impact in Maine’s coastal economy. This project highlights the importance of the USDA’s Office of Seafood and the development of the America First Seafood Strategy to promote production, marketing, sale and export of U.S. fishery and aquaculture products and strengthen domestic processing capacity, the USDA said in a prepared release.

“These investments are real world examples of the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthening farms and agricultural businesses right here in Maine,” Butera said. “These Rural Development investments in five Maine businesses, including Mere Point Oyster Company, will strengthen their competitiveness and directly support the economic vitality of rural Maine.”

Four other Maine businesses receiving investments from USDA Rural Development through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program are:

Calyx Farm LLC, in Morrill, has received $248,886 to help strengthen the long-term viability of its organic vegetable operation. Working capital grant funds will be used to expand marketing efforts, cover hired labor costs, and purchase essential packaging materials and supplies, helping the farm scale its impact and improve operational sustainability.

Kate Hall, d/b/a Graze LLC, in Northport, has received $250,000 to assist with working capital to enhance the processing, marketing and sales of her blended juice products. Grant funds will be used for supplies, labor and promotional efforts, helping grow the business and expand its reach in rural Maine.

Misty Brook Farm, in Albion, has received $250,000 to strengthen its organic milk and beef operations by providing working capital to boost efficiency, expand its customer base and increase revenue. Grant funds will support marketing efforts, labor costs, processing, packaging and essential supplies, enabling the farm to add three new employees and scale its impact in rural Maine.

Olde Haven Farm, LLC, in Chelsea, has received $250,000 to expand processing, marketing and sales of their pork and lamb artisan sausages. This project will focus on wholesale accounts and expanding accounts outside of Maine and will create one job.

The USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grant program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. To learn more about these programs, contact Ivana Hernandez Clukey at [email protected].

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway at rd.usda.gov/rural-data-gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.