The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is authorized under Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and amended under section 10107 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-343 (the Farm Bill). The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) awards Specialty Crop Block Grants to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. In Vermont, the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) administers these funds to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont and regionally grown specialty crops.
Previously Awarded Grants
Grants Awarded in 2022
- Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center to conduct on-farm research on organic, no-till methods and share results with farms in Vermont and across New England ($30,085)
- Food Connects to develop new wholesale customers, new supply chain relationships, and marketing materials to bring Vermont specialty crops to new markets in New England ($56,105)
- University of Vermont Fruit Program to develop a UVM Food Systems Digital Media Internship and redesign UVM Fruit digital communications platforms ($13,529)
- University of Vermont Bee Lab to support Vermont bee producers in improving their bee stock through disease testing and diagnostic services ($49,345)
- University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science to assess the potential of overwintering vegetable peas as a dual-use cover crop and new early-season vegetable ($39,207)
- Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association to purchase an industrial labeling machine and providing food-safe labeling and fulfillment services for VMSMA-branded maple containers ($28,000)
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to improve producer participation, data collection, and reporting for farmers markets, agritourism, and sponsored events ($75,997)
Grants Awarded in 2021
- Addison County Relocalization Network to increase wholesale market opportunities for specialty crop farms in the Addison County region ($58,300)
- Eden Ice Cider Company to establish the Vermont Holistic Orchard Management Network, a group of apple producers focused on best practices for growing apples specifically for alcoholic cider production ($4,000)
- University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science to host VitiNord 2022: A pivotal opportunity for education, collaboration, and innovation among Vermont grape and wine producers ($20,548)
- University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science to develop a plant-based lure for the swede midge, an invasive pest of Brassica crops ($44,310)
- Vermont Farmers Food Center to increase specialty crop sales for the Rutland region’s producers through market expansion ($52,000)
- Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association to expand Vermont pure maple syrup consumption through a strategic marketing campaign ($35,825)
- Vermont Tree Nut Processors to establish a tree nut processing facility in Vermont, to yield cold-pressed culinary nut oils and create a vital value chain for the local tree nut industry ($23,130)
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets to strengthen local and regional specialty crop marketing initiatives ($86,354)
Grants Awarded in 2020
- Atlantic Corporation to deliver critical market assessment and business planning tools to benefit the Vermont maple syrup industry ($27,140)
- Elmore Roots Nursery LLC to conduct research and outreach to help specialty crop growers, nurseries, and landscapers increase transplanting success and reduce costs using an innovative gravel bed rooting system ($29,017)
- Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont to implement a marketing campaign that illustrates the connection between organic practices and climate change mitigation and resilience ($46,118)
- University of Vermont Extension Vegetable & Berry Team to conduct research and outreach to help vegetable growers manage chickweed (Stellaria media) using soil steaming ($49,641)
- University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science to field test a dairy manure compost solution to control fungal soilborne pathogens and assess adoptability by vegetable growers ($33,193)
- University of Vermont Entomology Research Laboratory to strengthen and expand the emerging Vermont saffron industry through outreach, education, grower cost/revenue assessments, and consumer demand research ($40,000)
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets to implement a community-oriented approach to food access and market development that will increase consumption of local specialty crops ($74,241)
Grants Awarded in 2019
- Food Connects to develop new wholesale customers, supply chain relationships, and marketing materials to serve markets in the Upper Valley ($45,000)
- University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to improve available resources for pest and disease monitoring, diagnosis, and education for Vermont beekeepers and the Vermont Apiary Inspection Program ($52,000)
- University of Vermont Extension Vegetable & Berry Team to develop comprehensive fertilizer recommendations for high tunnel vegetable crops, with a focus on tomatoes ($32,785)
- University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science to survey heirloom and feral hops varieties for resistance to fungal and insect pests ($20,000)
- University of Vermont Extension Vegetable & Berry Team to evaluate the benefits and challenges of implementing brassica cover crops in vegetable production systems ($47,584)
- University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science to control the spread of Asian earthworm pests (Amynthas species) and disseminate results to the horticultural industry ($23,805)
- Vermont Quince Company to support commercial and backyard quince (Cydonia oblonga) growers in the region with field research, historical data aggregation, and outreach to existing and prospective quince growers ($10,000)
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets to incorporate local specialty crop market opportunities into community development and revitalization projects, including grants to be awarded to municipalities. ($74,755)
Grants Awarded in 2018
- Ardelia Farm & Co. to develop a laboratory for the micro-propagation of specialty ranunculus cultivars ($20,274)
- High Mowing Organic Seeds to prevent the spread of seed borne plant pathogens through steam treatment of organic specialty crops ($10,400)
- University of Vermont Extension Vegetable & Berry Team to provide technical assistance to vegetable growers for nutrient management ($29,798)
- University of Vermont Fruit Program to provide experiential-based technical support trainings for new and prospective apple and grape growers ($25,963)
- Vermont Fresh Network to increase the competitiveness of Vermont wine through restaurants and agritourism opportunities ($13,947)
- Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association to establish a Vermont maple sugar house food safety certification program ($35,000)
- Vermont Fruit Tree Growers Association to increase the marketing capability of Vermont’s apple industry ($7,995)
- Vital Communities to plan and execute an Upper Valley producer-buyer forum ($11,595)
- Walking Onion Nursery to assess the commercial opportunities for new perennial food crops ($18,915)
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets to assess conditions, trends, opportunities and constraints for expanding maple syrup consumption in export markets ($31,000)
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets to provide grants to Vermont produce growers to implement on-farm improvements that reduce produce safety risks ($50,000)
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets to strengthen local direct-to-consumer marketing ($53,000)
Grants Awarded in 2017
- University of Vermont Entomology Research Laboratory to develop techniques for field production of saffron in Vermont ($30,000)
- Salvation Farms to provide institutional access to Vermont's surplus crops ($24,542)
- University of Vermont Department of Plant & Soil Science to research regionally adapted entomopathogenic nematodes as a biological control for Colorado potato beetle ($40,563)
- The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont for organic specialty crop costs of production research and technical assistance to enhance farm viability ($39,673)
- University of Vermont Fruit Program to evaluate wine grape cultivars and conduct virus screenings to support the Vermont grape industry ($33,680)
- Green Mountain Farm to School to expand the Vermont Harvest of the Month program through production planning with schools to increase specialty crop sales ($32,660)
- The Vermont Agency of Agriculture to develop a direct to consumer marketing program ($53,000)