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An Official Vermont Government Website

Funding Opportunities: Grants, Loans & Financial Assistance

an open planner with calendar dates; photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash
Funding Opportunity Calendar
Upcoming funding opportunities and year-round programs
people sitting at an educational farm event
Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program
Grants for local and regional partners to work with farms to improve statewide water quality
a red dairy barn
Best Management Practices
Technical and financial assistance for on-farm improvements and structural conservation practices to improve water quality
No till grain drill in a field
Capital Equipment Assistance Program
Financial assistance for equipment to aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters and improve water quality
a field with vegetative buffers
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
Funds to reduce sediment runoff and improve water quality by removing land from agricultural production and establishing vegetative buffers
A group of individuals standing outside listening to someone speak
Dairy Cohort Technical Assistance Contract
Contracts to develop cohorts of dairy farmers to address relevant areas of technical assistance in their region
Workers in a cheese factory are wearing white uniforms, hairnets, and gloves, while processing curd in large stainless steel vats.
Dairy Processor Modernization Grant
Grants to fund purchases of specialized equipment and other approaches to modernizing existing dairy processing facilities
A smiling woman wearing a blue cap and white shirt is holding three wheels of cheese stacked on top of each other. She is standing in a cheese aging room, with shelves of cheese wheels in the background.
New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant
Grants to support the development of new and expanded co-packing capabilities and relationships for dairy processors
Vendors at a tradeshow. In the foreground, a table displays cheese products and promotional materials. Two smiling vendors stand behind the table, wearing "Cheese" shirts.
Dairy Product Trade Show Assistance Grant
Grants for dairy processors and producer associations seeking to exhibit and sell value-added dairy products at domestic and/or international business-to-business trade shows
An assortment of dairy products is arranged on a table, including various cheeses (blue cheese, brie, Swiss, cheddar, and mozzarella balls), a block of butter, bottles of milk, a mug of yogurt, and some eggs.
Innovation in Dairy Processing and Packaging Grant
Grants for dairy processors, producer associations, and educational research institutions to conduct R&D projects that support innovation for Northeast dairy processors across a variety of scales
Two people in white shirts making mozzarella cheese in a large rectangular stainless steel cheese vat
Dairy Co-Packing Grant
Grants to support the development of new and expanded co-packing capabilities and relationships for a processor.
a group of jerseys standing in a field
Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant
Grants for a wide range of projects that prioritize long term farm viability and climate/economic resilience
Person wearing blue gloves and an apron holds a unit of cheese above an array of cheeses on a table
Dairy Food Safety and Certification Grants
Grants for dairy farmers, processors, and/or producer associations to improve the safety of dairy products
a close-up image of people pointing to a white paper with brand in large green letters
Dairy Marketing and Branding Services Grants
Grants for value-added dairy processors to access professional services to implement marketing tactics, brand improvements, and overall strategy
a person milking a cow with their back towards the camera
Dairy On-Farm Milk Storage and Handling Grants
Grants for dairy farmers that support the purchase of equipment and other related costs to improve milk storage, handling, and energy efficiencies
a fair with a ferris wheel
Fairs and Field Days: Capital Grants and Operational Stipends
Grants for capital improvements and operational stipends for fairs and field days that meet statutory requirements
cover crop in a farm field
Farm Agronomic Practice Grants
Grants to implement soil-based agronomic practices that improve soil and water quality and to support educational activities to improve soil health and water quality
a worker in a sweatshirt and baseball cap stacking cardboard boxes containing food
Farm to Institution Market Development Grants
Grants to help farm and food producers access local institutional markets
hands pointing out farm locations on a map
Farm to School and Early Childhood Capacity Building Grants
Grants and technical assistance to help schools and early childhood programs develop or expand farm to school and farm to early childhood programs
children eating in a childcare setting
Farm to School and Early Childhood Community Supported Agriculture Grants
Grants to early childhood programs for purchases of community supported agriculture (CSA) shares
a child with long hair and a blue dress hands holding fresh apricots
Farm to School and Early Childhood Vision Grants
Grants to help schools, childcare providers and afterschool programs engage with food system issues through youth education and empowerment
a field with a filter strip
Seeding and Filter Strip Program
Technical and financial assistance to create perennial vegetated areas than can be harvested, grassed waterways, filter strips and critical source areas
a woman with a hat in a field of leafy greens
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
Cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who have received organic certification through a USDA-accredited certifying agent
three people discussing something on a clipboard standing on a farm
Pasture and Surface Water Fencing Program
Technical and financial assistance for pasture improvements and livestock exclusion from surface water
A person is standing in a processing facility holding an ipad in one hand and an apple in the other
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
Grants for businesses and organizations to strengthen infrastructure in the middle of the food supply chain
a bird's-eye view of young Christmas trees in white pots set in black trays
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Grants to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont specialty crops including fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, floriculture, honey, hops, maple, and mushrooms
a group of people walking around a trade show
Trade Show Assistance Grants
Grants to help Vermont food and forestry businesses exhibit and sell Vermont products at out-of-state and international trade shows
a lush, green meadow with wildflowers and a small hill in the distance
Vermont Farmers Ecosystem Stewardship Program
Supplemental payments to Vermont farmers who enroll/are enrolled in the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program and engage in conservation planning on cropland or pasture
farm field and river
Vermont Pay for Performance Program
Performance-based payments to farmers for reducing phosphorus losses from their fields
A close up of three brown and white spotted cows
Working Lands Business Enhancement Grants
Grants to farm, forest, or local food businesses for infrastructure, workforce training, research, or market development
A group of people standing in a field with goats
Working Lands Producer Association Grants
Grants to non-profit associations of farm, forest, or local food businesses for market research and development, leadership or board development, or strategic planning
A red tractor on a dirt driveway with a goats in the background
Working Lands Service Provider Grants
Grants to organizations that provide services to farm and forest businesses for business and technical assistance
Binders labeled Applications and Grants with paper, pen, and a calculator
Past Funding Opportunities
Past opportunities and archived programs

Additional Resources

Resources for Grant Applicants & Recipients
Resources to prepare your application or receive funding

Business Planning & Assistance​
Resources available to the Vermont agricultural community