Listed Alphabetically
Barn Preservation Grant Program
The oldest state-funded agricultural-based grant program in the United States, the Barn Preservation Grant Program helps individuals, municipalities, and non-profit organizations to rehabilitate the historic agricultural buildings that are a symbol of Vermont’s rural landscape. Buildings must be at least 50 years old and listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants
Vermont Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants provide technical assistance and incentive funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions from engines, vehicles, and equipment in Vermont with the goals of reducing public exposure to emissions from diesel-powered engines and the associated risks to public health and the environment.
The Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award
The Eric Rozendaal Memorial Fund, created through contributions from Eric’s family and friends and managed by the Vermont Land Trust, makes awards to applicants who actively manage commercial farm operations in Vermont. Applicants are evaluated on land stewardship and commitment to practices that support soil health and conservation of natural resources, giving back to communities through mentorship and community engagement, and demonstrated ability to innovate through the introduction of new farm products or the development of new markets.
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT)
FACT offers welfare-oriented livestock and poultry farmers a suite of services designed to support, empower, and expand humane farming practices including grants, scholarships, free webinars, and an online community to connect with other farmers. FACT awards competitive Fund-a-Farmer grants to working, independent family farmers located in the continental U.S. who raise beef cattle, broiler chickens, dairy cows, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys.
The FruitGuys Community Fund
Each spring, The FruitGuys Community Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 to small farms and agricultural nonprofits for sustainability projects that have large positive impacts on the environment, local food systems, and farm diversity such as projects that reduce water and power use, increase pollinators, improve soil health, promote natural pest control, or extend the growing season.
The Local Crowd Upper Valley
The Local Crowd Upper Valley, a community-based crowdfunding program hosted by Vital Communities, invites emerging and established businesses based in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont to submit project proposals.
USDA Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCS Provides farmers, ranchers and foresters with financial assistance and technical advice to improve production, reduce input costs and conserve natural resources through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, and Agricultural Management Assistance Program.
USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)
SARE offers competitive grants to projects that explore and address key issues affecting the sustainability and future economic viability of agriculture.
USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)
RMA serves agricultural producers through effective, market-based risk management tools, including Federal crop insurance and risk management education programs.
USDA Rural Development
Rural Development offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to support essential services and offers technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations. Programs include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The Rural Energy for America Program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements
- Value Added Producer Grants help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products.
Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI)
The State of Vermont offers an economic incentive for business recruitment, growth and expansion. The Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) program can provide a cash payment, based on the revenue return generated to the State by prospective qualifying job and payroll creation and capital investments, to businesses that have been authorized to earn the incentive and who then meet performance requirements.
Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program offers business advising and grants to enhance the economic viability of Vermont farms and forestry enterprises.
- Water Quality Grants: Grants of up to $40,000 to help Vermont farmers invest in water quality-related on-farm infrastructure
- Business Plan Implementation Grants: When funding is available, Farm Viability Implementation Grants are available on a competitive basis to farm businesses that have completed a full business plan or transfer plan through the Viability Program.
Vermont Grass Farmers Association (VGFA) Mini Grants
VGFA Mini Grants of $500–$1,000 support on-farm research led and designed by farmers.
Vermont Training Program (VTP)
VTP provides performance based workforce grants for pre-employment training, training for new hires and incumbent workers. Training can either be on-site or through a training provider/vendor. Grants may cover up to 50% of the training cost.