By Sonia Howlett, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Interested in learning more about agronomy, soil health, or agricultural water quality? Eying an event out of state or internationally that discusses innovative practices you would like to implement on your farm, but concerned about the expense?
The Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) program is most known for supporting practices like cover crop or rotational grazing, but this easy to access program also provides Agronomic Training Grants to farmers, farm employees and service providers. These grants support people supporting or managing Vermont farms to attend events or other instructional activities that further their knowledge of agricultural water quality. Eligible events may focus on state or federal agricultural water quality regulations, the impacts of agricultural wastes on water quality, and/or best practices to reduce agricultural impacts to water quality. Attendance at lobbying or advocacy events is ineligible.
Successful applicants will receive reimbursement for up to 100% of travel, registration and housing costs for attending eligible events. You can even bill for some of the farm work you may have to hire out in your absence (such as relief milking) at $25/hr. Individuals are limited to $2,000.00 in agronomic training funding per calendar year through this initiative.
All applications and expenses are subject to review by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to ensure that they meet eligibility requirements and that costs are reasonable.
Applicants must apply at least 45 days prior to the event. Apply now to request funds for any event attendance planned this winter or next year!
Learn more and apply at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/fap/training