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DRAFT PAGE - Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program

To fill out and submit your application, please revisit this page on Friday, July 17, 2020.  

 

July 14, 2020 | Montpelier, VT - Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Agency of Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts announced at a July 14 press conference that a new Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP) will open on Friday, July 17th.  This first application is directed at dairy producers and processors who have experienced income loss, additional expenses, and market disruption as a result of the Coronavirus, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is poised to distribute $25 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to qualified applicants.

“Every dairy farmer and processor should look at this grant opportunity,” said Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts.  “COVID-19 has hit our dairy industry hard. These assistance dollars will help our dairy businesses recover from staggering losses due to this pandemic.”

$21.2 million will be available as direct payments to eligible dairy producers (cow, goat, and sheep’s milk) and $3.8 million is allocated for eligible dairy processors (i.e. bottled milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream) to cover losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“It’s vital that we support our dairy sector quickly and efficiently,” Governor Scott said.  “The pandemic has ravaged our dairy farmers and processors, affecting many of our state’s rural businesses and communities.  Our dairy farmers and agriculture businesses feed us and our families while preserving the Vermont landscape and culture we hold dear.”

Recipients of State Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) will only be eligible for one State grant award.  As a result, if you plan to apply for a dairy grant, you should not apply for other CRF fund grants through ACCD, Tax, or other State programs.

Please also note that although applications will be processed in the order they are received, we expect to have adequate funding for all eligible dairy producers and processors to take advantage of this program.  Please be careful and take your time when completing this application to ensure that your information is complete and accurate.  Rushed and incomplete applications may result in denials or the need to reapply, which may impact or delay your potential grant payments.  That said, all applications must be received by October 1, 2020.

  • We recognize that an online application may be challenging for some businesses. Therefore, a select group of Vermont Farm and Forest Viability business advisors are prepared to assist interested dairy farmers and processors in completing applications. To request assistance from a Farm Viability Business Advisor in submitting your application, pleased complete this intake form surveymonkey.com/r/8ZG3WFJ, email mariah@vhcb.org or call 802-828-1098.  You will need to share your unique identification number with a selected business advisor and ensure that you have all required documentation available to upload and submit.
  • The Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program application will allow you to partially complete an application, save it, and return to the electronic form at a later time to continue working on and/or finish and submit your application.
Applicant Resources
  • Frequently Asked Questions 
  • W-9 - If you have not sent a correctly completed W-9 form to the Agency before beginning your application, you will need to complete and upload a W-9 form as part of your application.  More information or assistance on filling out a W-9 could be provided by your accountant and or entity that prepares your taxes.
  • W-9 Instructions

Overview Webinars

Webinars on Dairy Assistance Application for Dairy Producers and Dairy Processors

  • Tuesday July 21 12:30-1:30pm
    • Join by Microsoft Teams
    • Join by phone: 1-802-552-8456; conference ID: 506 785 037#
  •  Wednesday July 22 12:30-1:30pm
    • Join by Microsoft Teams
    • Join by phone: 1-802-552-8456; conference ID: 634 386 876#
  • Thursday July 23 3:30-4:30pm
    • Join by Microsoft Teams
    • Join by phone: 1-802-552-8456; conference ID: 335 875 432#

Webinar on Dairy Assistance Application for Dairy Industry Organizations

  • Tuesday July 21 3:30-4:30pm
    • Join by Microsoft Teams
    • Join by phone: 1-802-552-8456; conference ID: 694 087 79#
Contact Us

 

Fairs and Field Days

The Agency of Agriculture will also be providing grants through the Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program to other agricultural and working lands producers and processors and to Vermont’s agricultural fairs.  These additional grant programs for those who experienced economic losses and costs due to the COVID-19 public health emergency will be available soon and many will be administered in partnership with the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA).

Other Vermont Economic Recovery Programs

Vermont's Economic Recovery Grant application is also now available for other areas of our state economy. Full information on the application, who is eligible, FAQs, how to apply, and technical assistance can be found at the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Develepment website.