Nine Maine agricultural firms will receive more than $1 million from the federal government to help develop new products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing the grants to help agricultural producers who want to build new product lines.

One of the largest grants is a $250,000 award to Ricker Hill Orchards, a popular Turner apple producer. The money's designed to help the orchard expand its product reach nationally and increase production of products such as raw apple cider vinegar and hard cider.

Another grant of more than $49,000 will go to American Unagi of Thomaston to work on products made from farm-raised eels.

The grants are among more than $45 million the USDA is giving to help farmers, ranchers and business owners around America to develop new product lines. —TURNER, Maine (AP)

More From 92 Moose