Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) has announced 51 awards to Vermont farm, forest, and food businesses and organizations in 2024. The $2,329,561 in awards will support those who are earning a living off the land.
The award categories are:
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Primary Producer Impact Grants – $812,991 awarded to 6 farms to support businesses after being negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business Enhancement Grants – $558,343 awarded to 14 businesses to support market development, infrastructure, equipment costs, and workforce development.
Small Farm Diversification & Transition Grants – $150,000 awarded to 12 farms to support them in diversifying farm products, transitioning to a new form of farming, processing farm products, and/or developing an accessory on-farm business.
Supply Chain Impact Grants – $788,159 awarded to 6 businesses and nonprofits to support critical supply chain infrastructure investments that create new opportunities for multiple businesses in their respective supply chains.
Trade Show Assistance Grants – $59,968 awarded to 13 businesses to support attendance at trade shows to bring Vermont products to out of state markets.
Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant Closes Soon
Looking to build customer awareness, develop new market channels, or build revenue for your dairy business? Check out this grant!
Established value-added dairy processors and producer associations can apply for funding for professional marketing and branding services. This grant focuses on increasing exposure and promotion of regionally produced dairy products.
Awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000 with a match requirement of 25%.
Forest Farming: A Climate Smart Practice
Join Smokey House Center on June 13th for a free workshop on forest farming – an agroforestry practice that involves cultivating shade-tolerant non-timber forest products in the forest understory.
Learn the fundamentals of forest farming such as site selection, species selection, and different production models, as well as how forest farming can fit into broader forest management strategies to increase economic and ecological resilience.
Contact [email protected] to get on the email list and/or for questions.
Open Farm Week 2024 Farm Registration Now Open!
It’s time to register your farm for the 10th annual Vermont Open Farm Week! For a full decade, farmers have been inviting the public behind the scenes to experience and celebrate Vermont’s agricultural heritage. Join in on the fun!
Sign up today to help people get to know the places where their food comes from and the farmers who make it happen.
Selling to Schools, Early Childhood Programs, and Other Institutions
Tens of thousands of Vermonters are fed in institutional meal settings every day: in schools, early childcare programs, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. Many institutions prioritize local purchasing when they can, which creates a unique market opportunity for Vermont producers. This week on the blog, learn more about this expansive market and how producers can tap into it.
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
June
6/13 – Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant deadline
6/15 – FAP Rotational Grazing Application Deadline
6/23 – Medium Farm Operation General Permit Public Comment Period deadline
6/25 – Dairy Product Trade Show Assistance Grant deadline
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View the VAAFM Grants Calendar
Copyright © 2024, All rights reserved.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620
https://agriculture.vermont.gov
