FY2027 VAPG Consulting

New for 2027…

Due to VAPG program changes and changes within our own business, Sustaining Farmers will no longer be offering full-service grant writing.

Also, due to the continuing reduction in funding for the program, Sara Huber is recommending that farmers consider lower budget requests to increase competitive odds.

For the FY2027 VAPG cycle, Sara Huber will provide hourly consulting services for farmers:

Who are interested in crafting and submitting their own VAPG application.
Who are requesting a grant budget of $50,000 or less and applying in the Simplified Application category.

VAPG Consulting Services can include…

Determining project eligibility, and providing technical insight into the VAPG program.

Assistance defining project scope, i.e. support defining project products and markets, and developing projections of new customers and project revenue.

Assistance drafting project budget, i.e. support determining eligible expenses, and how to categorize and properly organize budget activities.

Assistance determining best source(s) of matching funds, i.e. cash, labor, and/or commodity, and how to provide accurate documentation for each.

For any section in the grant application, provide writing outlines/guidelines/prompts to help support the applicant’s independent narrative writing.

For many sections of the grant application, provide samples of text or correct documentation, so the applicant can better understand what’s expected from their own writing or documentation for a section.

Reading, editing, and providing critical feedback to the applicant's writing.

Take support materials, such as a collection of invoices, and create combined PDF attachments to attach to the application.

The farmer (applicant) is responsible for…

Setting up a VAPG application within the online portal via USDA.

Applying for and maintaining an active SAM.gov registration.

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Project direction, scope, and scale.
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Majority of grant narrative writing.
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Creating documentation, such as quotes or tables to support grant narrative.

Importing grant information into the online portal, including adding attachments.

Submitting the final VAPG application to USDA via the online portal.

Hours & Fees…

Sara Huber will provide a minimum of 10 hours of VAPG support for applicant clients.

$2000 will be billed for the first 10 hours.
An additional $150/hour will be billed for services thereafter.
$1000 of the total is due upfront at contract signing.
This prepaid $1000 will be subtracted from the total due at the end of the project.
During the duration of the project, Sara will provide view access to a spreadsheet tracking working hours & project activities, so the client can see how time is being spent and can anticipate billing.

Sara Huber con provide VAPG consulting services from Oct 15th, 2026 to February 28th, 2027.

>Additional billing information will be provided after an initial client phone call.

Get In Touch

If you're interested in working with Sara for FY2027 VAPG Consulting Services, complete the form with a few details about your project. Thanks!