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Specialty Crop Producer Association Grants

Overview

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets announces the availability of Specialty Crop Producer Association Grant funds to establish or strengthen producer associations and cooperatives that serve Vermont specialty crop businesses. Vermont specialty crops include fruits; vegetables; tree nuts; honey; hops; maple syrup; mushrooms; culinary herbs and spices; medicinal plants; nursery crops (including Christmas trees); and floriculture. Projects funded through this grant program must benefit more than one specialty crop business, individual, or organization.

Thanks to additional USDA Agriculture Marketing Service funding in 2022 due to a COVID-19 related stimulus bill, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is offering the 2022 Specialty Crop Producer Association Grant in addition to the concurrent Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding opportunity.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants:

  • Producer associations, cooperatives, and groups of three or more producers/businesses
  • Nonprofit or for-profit service providers that serve producer associations, cooperatives, and groups of three or more producers/businesses

Applicants must describe how their project will benefit and produce measurable outcomes for specialty crop industries rather than a single business, organization, or individual.

How to Apply

  1. Download the 2022 Specialty Crop Producer Association Grant - Request for Applications (RFA).
  2. Review the WebGrants Application Guide.

If you have not previously registered in WebGrants, complete the registration form. User registrations are approved in 1–2 business days.

  1. View the 2022 Vermont SCBGP Information Session Webinar recording below.
  2. Submit your application in WebGrants by February 27, 2022 at 11:59 PM.

Information Session

On January 27, 2022, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets hosted an applicant webinar. The webinar recording is below. The webinar provided an introduction to two grant applications to support the Vermont Specialty Crop industry in 2022: the Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program application and the Specialty Crop Producer Association Grant application.

Deadlines & Key Dates

January 18, 2022: Request for Applications (RFA) released

January 27, 2022: SCBGP Information Session Webinar

February 1, 2022: Applications open for submission in WebGrants

February 27, 2022 (11:59 PM): Deadline to submit an application

April 2022: Applicants notified of funding decisions

April 2022: Successful applicants meet with the grant program manager to finalize details of their project plans

May 2022 (estimated): Vermont Agency of Agriculture submits State Plan to USDA

June 2022 (estimated): Grantees notified of AMS decisions - Adjustments may be required

July 1, 2022: Estimated project start date

Guides & Templates

Program Contact

Madison Berry
AGR.SpecialtyCrops@vermont.gov
802-622-4626 

WebGrants Technical Assistance

Melissa Moon
melissa.moon@vermont.gov
802-622-4128