Overview
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets has administered the Agricultural Fairs & Field Days Capital Projects Competitive Grants program for over ten years. Funding is appropriated yearly to assist our fairs throughout the state with capital improvements, and each grant recipient has 24 months to complete their project. The 2014 Vermont Legislature codified the program and created guidelines for the establishment of an Agricultural Fairs and Field Days Capital Program Advisory Committee to administer and coordinate grants.
Vermont fairs and field days drew almost 370,000 visitors in 2017 and many of the fairgrounds are utilized for other events, drawing visitors throughout the year. The fairs and events offer opportunities for the agricultural community to highlight their practices, products, skills, and livelihood that are part of the success of maintaining Vermont’s working landscape. In the summer of 2017, the Agency completed five interagency site visits and plans to complete additional visits in 2018.
In FY 2018, the Agency of Agricultural received a request of $244,938 from 10 fairs and field days. All 10 of the 10 requests were and funded out of the $197,410 FY 2018 appropriation, with each fair receiving $19,741.
Eligibility
Eligible Proposals
- Grants shall be competitively awarded to capital projects that relate to Vermont agricultural fairs and field days operating a minimum of three consecutive, eight-hour days per year.
- A project for which a grant is awarded shall have a minimum useful life of 20 years and shall be completed within two years of the execution of a contract to perform work authorized by the grant.
- A grant recipient shall contribute matching funds or in-kind services in an amount equal to 15 percent or more of the value of the grant.
Ineligible Proposals
- Proposals from applicants that do not meet the definition of an eligible fair as outlined by the Vermont statute.
- Proposals from applicants who are out of compliance with any federal, state or local laws or regulations.
- Proposals for projects which will not have a useful 20-year lifespan.
- Proposals for projects that have already been completed for which the applicant seeks reimbursement.
- Poposals from applicants failing to meet requirements for previous Agency grants and/or assistance programs, or from individuals or groups unable to perform or having performance issues with previous Agency grant obligations.
How to Apply
Application period will be open Janurary 15, 2019 through Febuary 15, 2019.
Duration of Grants
Maximum of 24 months from grant start date. Should the project change, grants may be amended once the grant application has been approved.
Funding Availability
Up to $25,000 to be distributed per applicant.
