Skip to main content
An Official Vermont Government Website

Funding Opportunities: Grants, Loans & Financial Assistance

Notebook with page labeled September, calendar dates, highlighter pen, and drawing of leaves. Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash.
Funding Opportunity Calendar
Upcoming Funding Opportunities and Year-Round Programs
people at an educational farm event
Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program
To support strategic investments in businesses, organizations, or individuals who work with farms to support the improvement of water quality across the state of Vermont
a red dairy barn
Best Management Practices
Technical and financial assistance for on-farm improvements and structural conservation practices to improve water quality such as manure storage, barnyard runoff collection, laneway development, stream crossings and more
NO TILL GRAIN DRILL IN A FIELD
Capital Equipment Assistance Program
Financial assistance for new or innovative equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters and improve water quality of state waters
Children eating at school.
Community Supported Agriculture Grants
Grants reimburse early childhood programs for purchases of community supported agriculture (CSA) shares
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
To reduce sediment runoff and improve water quality by removing land from agricultural production and establishing vegetative buffers
A man loading small circular cheeses from a cart into white bins.
Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant
Funds for dairy processors to acquire specialized equipment to increase milk processing capacity
A photo of seven open pint containers of brightly colored ice cream on a light wooden surface viewed from above
Dairy Packaging Innovation Grant
Funding for modernized dairy product packaging initiatives that prioritize sustainability, scalability, and marketability
A photo of a group of brown dairy cows standing in green grass
Dairy Farm Innovation Grant
Grants for dairy farmers to implement community- and climate-forward production strategies
Person wearing blue gloves and an apron holds a unit of cheese above an array of cheeses on a table.
Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant
Grants for dairy farmers, processors, and/or producer associations to improve the safety of dairy products
Person with back towards the camera milking a cow
On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant
Funds for farmers to purchase equipment that improves milk storage, handling, and energy efficiency
A photo of a cheesemaker wearing a white shirt and plastic gloves cutting curds in a stainless steel vat
Dairy Processing Research & Development Innovation Grant
Grants for dairy processors to position their businesses for long-term success
A group of individuals standing outside listening to someone speak
Cohort Dairy Technical Assistance Contract
Service providers are invited to develop cohorts of dairy farmers to address relevant areas of technical assistance in their region
Close-up image of people pointing to a white paper with brand in large green letters.
Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant
Grants for value-added dairy processors to access professional services to implement marketing tactics, brand improvements, and overall strategy
a fair with a Ferris wheel
Fairs & 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
To implement soil based agronomic practices that improve soil and water quality as well as to support educational or instructional activties to improve soil health and water quality
hands pointing out farm locations on a map
Farm to School and Early Childhood Grants
Grants and technical assistance to help schools and early childhood programs develop or expand farm to school and farm to early childhood programs
A child with long hair and a blue dress hands holding fresh apricots
Farm to School and Early Childhood Vision Grant
Grants to help schools, childcare providers and afterschool programs engage with food system issues through youth education and empowerment
A picture of mottled red apples next to shiny green apples. Photo by James Yarema on Unsplash
Food Hub Infrastructure Support
Grants to expand capacity and market access for Vermont’s nonprofit food hubs
filter strip
Grassed Waterway 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 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
Image of a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables with the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance logo and text reading "Vermont."
Local Food Purchase Assistance
Grants to purchase food from local and socially disadvantaged farmers and distribute to underserved communities
a woman with a hat in a field growing leafy greens
Organic Cost Share Program
Funding assistance for organic producers and handlers of agricultural products who have received organic certification through a USDA-accredited certifying agent
Pasture and Surface Water Fencing Program
Technical and financial assistance for pasture improvements and livestock exclusion from surface water
Close-up image of red Swiss chard growing in a field. Photo by Ronan Furuta on Unsplash.
Produce Safety Improvement Grants
Grants for farms to implement food safety practices to meet regulatory and buyer food safety requirements
A picture of young Christmas trees in white pots set in black trays, with the camera facing the Christmas trees from above
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
close-up of a wood beehive frame with partially developed comb and a beehive in the background
Specialty Crop Producer Association Grants
Grants to strengthen Vermont specialty crop producer associations and benefit specialty crop producers
a baker in a uniform and hairnet with freshly-baked cakes
Trade Show Assistance Grants
Grants to help Vermont food and forestry businesses identify, plan, exhibit and sell Vermont products at out-of-state and international trade shows
Side view of brown and white cow looking at camera on grass
Vermont Organic Dairy Farm Transition Support Grants
Funding to support dairy farmers impacted by Horizon Organic contract cancellations
Holstein cows grazing
Vermont Organic Dairy Relief Program
Grants to eligible organic dairy farms that shipped or sold organic milk in 2022
A lush, green meadow with wildflowers and a small hill in the distance.
Vermont Farmers Ecosystem Stewardship Program
CSP-Assist program provides supplemental payments to Vermont farmers who enroll/are enrolled in the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program by successfully engaging in conservation planning on cropland or pasture.
farm field and river
Vermont Pay for Performance Program
Performance-based payments to Vermont farmers for reductions in phosphorus (P) losses from their agricultural fields
cheese board with fresh grapes
Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
Grants and loans for investments in Vermont's farm, food and forest economies

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