Requesting Applications for Trade Show Assistance Grants

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is inviting Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses to apply for Trade Show Assistance Grants (TSAG). These grants provide businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can mitigate the financial risks associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers.

Funding may be used to reimburse up to 50% of the following expenses: travel; marketing assets and booth design; registration fees; booth fees; furnishings; utilities; shipping/freight; and other marketing costs (samples, printing, etc.). Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly trade show marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements for shows that take place between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.

Eligible applicants are Vermont-based agricultural and forestry businesses that meet the following criteria: (1) Business is registered with the Vermont Secretary of State and has been in business for over one year; (2) Business or its headquarters are located within Vermont; (3) Business has three or more wholesale accounts; (4) Business’ products meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129.

The application will be open from December 15, 2022 through January 31, 2023. For questions regarding this grant opportunity, please contact Kristen Brassard at [email protected].

Local Food Purchase Assistance Grant Closes December 12th The application for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Grant closes December 12th. This funding helps Vermont farms, food producers, and organizations, purchase food from socially disadvantaged farmers and producers. $200,000 is available. There is no minimum or maximum award amount, requests should align with project goals. Review the Request for Applications for complete details. Application Deadline: December 12th On-Farm Lamb Slaughter Workshop in Bennington Join Rural Vermont and Mary Lake at Argyll Farm in Bennington for an on-farm slaughter and processing workshop. The workshop will provide updates to state and federal regulations regarding on-farm slaughter and participants will learn how to humanely slaughter and efficiently butcher and process a lamb. Tickets are $40, advance registration is required. Workshop: Sat. Dec. 17th from 9:30-3:00pm Act 250 Stakeholder Engagement Discussion You are invited to join a public meeting concerning Act 250 and Accessory On-Farm Businesses hosted by the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. This is an opportunity to discuss the draft recommendations for the State Legislature on how to apply Act 250 jurisdiction to agricultural businesses. A final report will be presented by January 15th. You can join the meeting on Microsoft Teams, the password is zYivon. Meeting: December 8th at 6:00pm Blog: Incorporating Agritourism Activities on Your Farm Incorporating Agritourism activities on your farm has the potential to diversify and increase farm revenue while developing more meaningful relationships with your customers and giving them a chance to learn about farming. However, deciding what to do and how to get started can often feel overwhelming. This week on the blog, we're sharing a few of our favorite resources to help as you begin (or expand) your agritourism enterprise. Check out the blog!