Programs Open Year-Round
APPLICATION OPENS |
PROGRAM |
DESCRIPTION |
CONTACT |
---|---|---|---|
Year-round |
Technical and financial assistance for engineered conservation practices on Vermont farms |
Emma Redel Ellen Friedrich |
|
Year-round |
Technical and financial assistance for pasture management and livestock exclusion from surface water on Vermont farms |
Mary Montour |
|
Year-round |
Technical and financial assistance for implementing buffers and seeding down critical areas on Vermont farms |
Sonia Howlett |
|
Year-round |
Implementation costs of vegetated buffers and rental payments for maintained buffers on Vermont agricultural land |
Ben Gabos Phil Wilson |
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
APPLICATION OPENS | PROGRAM | DESCRIPTION | CONTACT |
January 2024 | Grants for meat and produce producers and processors to fund projects to improve infrastructure, equipment, storage, processing, or training | Sarah McIlvennie Sarah.Mcilvennie@vermont.gov 802-261-5866 |
|
February | Reimbursement for 80% of the cost of community supported agriculture (CSA) shares for early childcare providers | Gina Clithero Gina.Clithero@vermont.gov 802-585-6225 |
|
February | Grants to help schools, childcare providers and afterschool programs engage with food system issues through youth education and empowerment |
Gina Clithero |
|
March | Service providers will be able to submit proposals to develop cohorts of dairy farmers to address relevant areas of technical assistance |
Laura Ginsburg |
|
April 2024 | The Agency of Agriculture will award RFSI grants to improve the aggregation, distribution, manufacturing, processing, storing, transporting, and wholesaling of Vermont food products including specialty crops, dairy, grains, aquaculture, and value-added products. | Julia Scheier Julia.Scheier@vermont.gov 802-522-7042 |
|
April | Grants for established value-added dairy processors and producer associations to access professional marketing and branding services | Ali Boochever Ali.Boochever@vermont.gov 802-261-5740 |
|
April 2023 | Tiered grants for specialized equipment needed to increase processing capacity of regionally produced milk | Ben Eldredge Ben.Eldredge@vermont.gov 802-522-9478 |
|
May |
Per-acre payments for conservation practices on Vermont farms and support for one-time water quality educational events or trainings
|
Sonia Howlett |
|
June 2023 | Grants to support modernized packaging initiatives that prioritize sustainability, scalability, and marketability | Kathryn Donovan Kathryn.Donovan@vermont.gov 802-585-4571 |
|
August | Partial reimbursement of direct costs for organic certification | Terry Smith Terry.Smith@vermont.gov 802-828-5667 |
|
Fall - Annual | Grants to non-profit associations of farm, forest, or local food businesses for market research and development, leadership or board development, or strategic planning | Clare Salerno Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov 802-917-2637 |
|
Fall - Annual | Grants to organizations that provide services to farm and forest businesses for business and technical assistance | Clare Salerno Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov 802-917-2637 |
|
Fall – Biennial | Grants for water quality initiatives that support farmers with education and outreach, technical assistance, identifying and implementing best management practices, planning, and more |
Mary Montour |
|
September | Purchase of innovative farm equipment that aids in the reduction of runoff | Sonia Howlett Sonia.Howlett@vermont.gov 802-522-4655 |
|
Fall - When Offered | Contracts to organizations that provide services for farm and forest businesses to build executive business and marketing skills | Clare Salerno Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov 802-917-2637 |
|
October 2023 | Grants to purchase food from socially disadvantaged farmers and producers and distribute food to underserved communities | Julia Scheier Julia.Scheier@vermont.gov 802-522-7042 |
|
October | Grants to help schools and early childhood organizations develop farm to school programs or farm to early childhood programs |
Gina Clithero |
|
October | Grants to help farm and food producers access local institutional markets including schools, colleges, hospitals, and prisons | Gina Clithero Gina.Clithero@vermont.gov 802-585-6225 |
|
October 2023 | Grants for the maple industry to fund production or processing projects that address climate resiliency, operational efficiency, or food safety and quality |
Madison Berry |
|
October | Grants for dairy farmers to fund a wide range of projects that prioritize long term farm viability and climate/economic resilience | Ben Eldredge Ben.Eldredge@vermont.gov 802-522-9478 |
|
October | Service providers will be able to submit contract proposals to develop cohorts of dairy farmers to address relevant areas of technical assistance | Laura Ginsburg Laura.Ginsburg@vermont.gov 802-522-2252 |
|
Fall - Annual | Grants to farm, forest, or local food businesses for infrastructure, workforce training, or market development | Clare Salerno Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov 802-917-2637 |
|
November | Grants for 20-year capital improvements and operational stipends for fairs and field days | Drew Watson Andrew.Watson@vermont.gov 802-636-7793 |
|
November |
Grants for collaborative projects to benefit multiple fruit, vegetable, honey, maple, hops, Christmas tree, or nursery crop producers or organizations |
Madison Berry AGR.SpecialtyCrops@vermont.gov 802-622-4626 |
|
November | Grants to provide dairy farmers with funds that support the purchase and supplies to improve milk storage, handling and energy efficiencies | Ali Boochever Ali.Boochever@vermont.gov 802-261-5740 |
|
December |
Goat & Sheep Dairy Supply Chain Development Grant |
Grants to improve the regional conditions for goat and/or sheep dairy products | Kathryn Donovan Kathryn.Donovan@vermont.gov 802-585-4571 |
December | Grants to support food safety projects including specialized equipment purchase, supplies, food safety training, and certifications | Ben Eldredge Ben.Eldredge@vermont.gov 802-522-9478 |
|
Open Now | Grants to help food and forestry exhibit and sell their Vermont products at trade shows targeting out-of-state buyers | Kristen Brassard Kristen.Brassard@vermont.gov 802-522-3742 |
Return to Funding Opportunities: Grants, Loans & Financial Assistance.
Funding opportunities are subject to change. Page last updated December 2023.