LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) has received an unexpectedly large number of applications for the Julian-Stille Value-Added Program, a program designed to give a boost to the Michigan economy.

The MDA received a total of 225 applications by the July 13 deadline. Grant requests totaled $36 million.

“We’re actually very excited about getting all that many proposals,” said Michael DiBernardo, economic development specialist at the MDA. “We’re very ecstatic with that kind of response. We just wish we had more (money) to grant out.”

According to DiBernardo, there is $5 million available for the program this year.

Eligible applicants for the so-called agricultural innovation grants included individuals, farmer-owned cooperatives, partnerships, corporations and local governments. All applicants are required to provide a 10 percent cash match.

A committee has been established to choose the successful applicants. Members of the committee include representatives from Michigan State University, Michigan Economic Development Corp., banks and the MDA.

The Michigan Commission of Agriculture approved the scoring criteria. Grant proposals will be evaluated, scored and ranked based upon the economic impact on the community, economic impact or enhancement to agricultural products and services, project’s creativity, clarity of the proposal with specific and measurable goals, and the experience and expertise of the management team.

Grant awards will be announced by the MDA in October, but according to DiBernardo, this timetable is tentative.

Grant money will be awarded to applicants in five categories: these include facility/land purchase and development, technical assistance, facility improvements, market research and business plans.

The grant amounts for the categories can vary widely, from a $25,000 limit under the business plan category to as high as $350,000 under the facility/land purchase and development category.

For more details about the Julian-Stille Value-Added Program, visit the MDA online at www.michigan.gov/mda or call 517-241-2178.