Grants, Loans & Relief Payments | Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets

Federal Assistance

Coronavirus and USDA Assistance for Farmers
USDA programs and services for America’s farmers and ranchers, including Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency resources to support producers impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. For information on the USDA-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit USDA's coronavirus response page.
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) – Additional Assistance
USDA is providing additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for certain agricultural producers whose operations were directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Benefits to those not traditionally eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. On December 27, 2020, PUA was extended for an additional 11 weeks or until benefit week-ending March 13, 2021.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. Borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Vermont District Office offers weekly Paycheck Protection Program webinars.
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
Low-interest loans provide economic relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Relief Options
The SBA guide to Coronavirus Relief Options includes programs to help businesses, nonprofits, and organizations recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Other COVID-19 Funding Options
SBA has compiled a searchable list of recovery financing from other organizations.
USDA Rural Development Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities
Visit Rural Development COVID-19 Response for information on Rural Development loan payment assistance, application deadline extensions, and more.

Grants

GENYOUth COVID-19 Emergency School Meal Delivery Fund
Grants of up to $3,000 per school to supply resources for meal distribution and delivery efforts to get food to students during COVID-19.

NOFA Vermont Farmer Emergency Fund
Available to assist Vermont certified organic and NOFA Vermont member commercial farmers who are in financial need after having been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters. Farmers may request up to $2,500 in grants that do not need to be repaid.

Loans

Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loan
Community funded loans for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

Vermont Farm Fund Emergency Loans
Zero percent interest loans for Vermont farmers or food producers who have suffered a devastating loss due to an unexpected natural disaster that puts their farm or farming career in danger. The maximum Emergency Loan amount is currently $10,000.

Vermont State Employees Credit Union Emergency Loan
Emergency loans for Vermonters who have lost income due to COVID-19 illness, quarantine, monitoring, reduction in hours, or missed pay to care for a family member.

Business Assistance

Do you need support navigating through the financial assistance options available? Consider reaching out to one of the many organizations providing individualized technical assistance and business coaching to farms impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more on our Business Assistance page.