This Grant Feeds Vermont Kids | Vermont Business Magazine

Submitted by tim on Mon, 01/17/2022 - 05:12

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Community Supported Agriculture grant is back! If you’re a licensed early childhood provider or afterschool program interested in incorporating more local food into your operations, be sure to check out this competitive grant opportunity.

Successful applicants will receive a grant to cover 80 percent of the cost of a community supported agriculture (CSA) share, or farm share, from a Vermont farm of their choosing. The maximum award is $1,000.

Last year 31 childcare providers from 12 counties across the state received CSA grants. Here’s what one grantee had to say about their experience: “It was such a joy to ‘reveal’ the CSA goods every Friday morning with the children! It was a really fun way to incorporate counting, colors and shapes. I felt so honored to be able to consistently remind them that this amazing produce was grown by local, community farmers. I felt very proud of that!”

The CSA grant application will open on January 21^st, 2022, with a deadline to apply by noon on February 18^th, 2022. If you have questions about this funding opportunity, contact the program manager Trevor Lowell.

Learn More About the Community Supported Agriculture Grant

Farm Succession Planning Series

Feel like your family needs to start talking about the future of the farm, but you don't know where to start? Have questions about passing on the farm? Looking for a successor to take over your farm?

Attend this free farm succession planning webinar series for transitioning farmers and junior generation farmers. Learn the basics of succession planning, including how to get started, where to find advisors and additional resources, and how to get support on this challenging process.

Four-part live webinar series meets on Wednesdays from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m on Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, and Feb. 16

Vermont Specialty Food Associaion Food and Beverage Safety Webinar

Food & Beverage Safety Webinar

Join the Vermont Specialty Food Association and Food Safety Specialist Omar Oyarzabal for an open discussion on Addressing the Top Food and Beverage Food Safety Questions. Omar will give a presentation on the top three topics he is currently fielding questions for: Environmental Monitoring Program, Basic Compliance & Regulatory for new food businesses, and Supplier Approval Program. Bring all your food safety questions as the remainder of the hour will be an open discussion. Whether you are a new or experienced food business this is a great opportunity to get your questions answered by a food safety expert!

Webinar: Jan. 19 @ 12 p.m.

COVID-19 Decision Tree

The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development's COVID-19 decision tree has been updated to help businesses navigate close contact and positive cases in the workplace. The update also reflects the new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Vermont Department of Health.

Find the full Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development business guidance as it relates to these changes at the COVID-19 Recovery Resource Center.

EMBRACE Microbusiness Grant

In response to COVID-19, the Vermont Community Action Partnership and the Micro Business Development Program came together to establish the Economic Micro Business Recovery Assistance for the COVID-19 Epidemic (EMBRACE) direct grant program. EMBRACE issues $5,000 grants to businesses with five or fewer employees, on a first come first served basis.

New this year, grants will be available to start-up businesses opened after December 31st, 2020 - through a special application process starting January 18, 2022.

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar