RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Seventeen agricultural operations in Virginia will receive federal funding aimed at expanding their operations and creating new products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday it has awarded $25 million in grants to 247 businesses nationwide.

In Virginia, nine of the businesses will receive $200,000 apiece.

Among them, Claybrooke Farm of Louisa County will use funds to market Christmas trees and other products to a wider customer base, while Cobbler Mountain Cellars of Fauquier County will try to expand its customer base and buy operating supplies associated with processing grapes into wine.

Eight other Virginia businesses will receive smaller grants. Another Fauquier County business, Mary’s Alpaca, will receive $50,000 to process, package and market Alpaca manure as plant fertilizer.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.