The Agricultural Fairs & Field Days Grants Program application is now closed.
Overview
The Agricultural Fairs and Field Days Capital Projects Competitive Grants Program (24 V.S.A. § 5608) and the Stipend Fund provide grants for 20-year capital improvements and operational stipends to Vermont's agricultural fairs and field days.
Vermont fairs and field days draw over 300,000 visitors each year, and many of the fairgrounds are utilized for other events, drawing many more visitors into Vermont communities throughout the year. Fairs and events offer opportunities for the agricultural community to highlight their practices, products, skills, and livelihoods that are part of the success of maintaining Vermont’s working landscape.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has administered the Agricultural Fairs & Field Days Capital Projects Competitive Grants Program and the Stipend Fund for over a decade. The Vermont Legislature appropriates funds annually to Vermont Agricultural Fairs Associations as defined in H.472 to assist fairs and field days with capital improvements and operational costs.
For more information about these funding opportunities, review the state statute for the Capital Projects Competitive Grants Program and the Stipend Fund Distribution Formula.
Funding Availability (Fiscal Year 2025)
| Funding Availability | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Funds Available | $410,000 |
| Capital Grants | $300,000 |
| Maximum Amount per Applicant for Capital Grants | $35,000 |
| Stipends | $110,000 |
Stipend Distribution Fund Formula.
Overview and Eligibility
PROGRAM PURPOSE
Competitive Capital Grants are available to assist nonprofit organizations and municipalities to improve community facilities providing cultural activities to the public. Fairs and events offer opportunities for the agricultural community to highlight the practices, products, skills, and livelihood that are part of maintaining Vermont’s working landscape. Annual stipends are available to support operating costs, plant improvements, and premiums for agricultural fairs or field days events.
CAPITAL GRANTS ELIGIBILITY
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.
Eligible Projects:
- 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 cash match in an amount equal to 15 percent or more of the value of the grant.
- A grant recipient is required to show all quotes as proof of project costs.
- Project must be completed in 24 months.
Ineligible Projects:
- 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.
- Proposals 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.
STIPEND ELIGIBILITY
Funds shall be distributed annually to Vermont Agricultural Fairs Associations as defined in H.472 to support operating costs, plant improvements, and premiums for agricultural fairs or field days events held at least annually at which premiums are offered for competitive exhibits in at least five competitive categories. New applicants must operate their fair or field day for a minimum of three consecutive days, with a minimum of eight hours operating per day. Each stipend application shall be accompanied by both narrative and financial data and indicate the nature of the award 4 sought for the fund, broken down by plant improvement and general operation, with premiums identified as a separate part of general operations.
FUNDING SOURCE
Funding is appropriated yearly to assist our fairs throughout the state with capital improvements and operational costs.
MINIMUM & MAXIMUM AWARD
Up to $35,000 to be distributed per applicant for Capital Grants. Stipends are distributed according to the Stipend Distribution Fund Formula as provided in state statute.
PROJECT LENGTH
Maximum of 24 months from grant start date. Should the project change, grants may be amended once the grant application has been approved.
MATCHING FUNDS
A grant recipient shall contribute cash match in an amount equal to 15 percent or more of the value of the grant.
KEY DATES
- Request for Applications (RFA) Release Date: October 21, 2024
- Application Opens: November 1, 2024 at 12:00 PM
- Application Deadline: December 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM
- Award Notifications: February 3, 2025