VAAFM: New Year, New Grant Opportunities | Vermont Business Magazine

Submitted by tim on Mon, 01/03/2022 - 04:00

Food Hub Infrastructure Support RFA Released

Food Hub Infrastructure Grant Opens Soon

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets has received funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission to expand market access and capacity for Vermont’s nonprofit food hubs through critical infrastructure investments. We are pleased to award $300,000 through a competitive grant process, aimed at helping food hubs support more farm and food businesses, expand their workforce, and advance their ongoing efforts to access larger metropolitan markets.

Funding priorities include large infrastructure investments that will significantly increase the amount of Vermont products reaching new markets, especially metropolitan markets out of state. Awards will range from $25,000 to $100,000, with a 25% match required.

Applications will be open from January 24th until February 25th, 2022. Please see the Request for Applications for more details on eligibility, application process, and timelines. Feel free to reach out to Julia with any questions.

Food Hub Infrastructure Support RFA

Ag Clean Water Initiative Grant Opportunity

Water Quality Improvement Grant

The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is pleased to announce $3,000,000 is available through the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (Ag-CWIP). Grants will fund efforts by local and regional partners to reduce agricultural nutrient runoff throughout the State of Vermont.

Grant proposals for projects that help farms improve water quality are now being accepted. Eligible applicants include farmers, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local government entities. Please email Mary or call +1(802)461-6087 with any questions.

Deadline to apply: Jan. 31 @ 4:30 p.m.

Dairy Food Safety Grant Open

Looking to bring your dairy business' food safety standards to the next level? The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is currently accepting applications through the Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant program. Grants of up to $40,000 will support projects that increase dairy business production safety standards with the goal of accessing new markets. Grant funds may be used for technical assistance, audits, food safety plan development, training, testing fees, and certain infrastructure upgrades. Dairy producers, processors, and producer associations based in the Northeast are encouraged to apply.

Deadline to apply: Feb. 3, 2022

New Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Rule

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture (VAAFM) and the Agency of Natural Resources amended the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) external quarantine rule, which went into effect on December 3, 2021. All hemlock stock entering Vermont must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate attesting that the plants are pest free. The amended rule allows hemlock nursery stock to come into the state from counties under a quarantine, but they must be treated for HWA. Prior to sale, nursery stock must be inspected by VAAFM Plant Health staff. Other changes include the deregulation of hemlock logs, lumber and chips.

Farm to Plate Network Survey

The Farm to Plate Network has created a new network structure built around the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030. In this new structure, members will convene through Network Wide Exchanges, Priority Strategy Teams, Topic Exchanges, and Communities of Practice. Farm to Plate invites it's members to take this survey regarding you/your organization’s interest in participating in the new Network groups. Your participation will be extremely helpful as Farm to Plate convenes new groups and transitions from their current website to a new site in early 2022.

Vermont Housing & Conservation Board Water Quality Grants Are Due Soon

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar