Southwestern Seas co-owner Judy Armendariz of Lemitar, NM inspects one of the shrimp that is being grown at the shrimp farm. The four inch shrimp will be ready for market when it is about six inches long, which will be in another three weeks.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, November 24, 2015 --USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner was in Lemitar, New Mexico today to present a certificate of obligation to the owners of the Southwestern Seas, LLC shrimp farm.

During the event, Brunner said, "The Obama administration is making good on its promise to provide the tools to help small rural businesses expand and be successful." Brunner added, "And that's what this funding is all about. This small shrimp farm needed financial help to market its product to various farmers markets and other stores and this funding will help them find new customers."

USDA Rural Development provided a $49,500 grant through its Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) to help the shrimp farm with its marketing of the shrimp throughout New Mexico.

The VAPG funding may be used for planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Ag producers can apply for the VAPG funds including; farmers and ranchers growing various types of agricultural products including aquaculture, fish harvesting, and wood lot enterprises. Also, an association of producers such as a producer owned corporation, LLC, or LLP solely owned by producers can also apply for the funding.