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Specialty Crop Grant Opportunities

Submitted by tim on

Specialty Crop Grant Opportunities

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets (VAAFM) announces $500,000 in grant funds to strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries and producer associations. Two funding opportunities are available:

2022 Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: Grant funds will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assisting producers with research and development, expanding availability and access to specialty crops, or addressing local, regional, and national challenges for producers. Any entity may apply, but projects must benefit more than one specialty crop business, individual, or organization.

Specialty Crop Producer Association Grant: This grant opportunity will support producer associations that serve specialty crop businesses. Eligible applicants are producer associations, cooperatives, and groups of producers/businesses. Service providers that serve producer associations, cooperatives, and groups of producers are also eligible. This grant is possible thanks to additional federal funding from a COVID-19 related stimulus bill.

The deadline to apply for both opportunities is February 27, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

Learn More and Apply
DBIC Diry Product Packaging Grant

This Northeast airy Business Innovation Center grant will fund projects that decrease the environmental impacts of dairy product and supply chain packaging and increase marketability of dairy products. Grant funds are available to projects along the spectrum of research, development, and implementation at a variety of scales. Dairy processors, dairy producer associations and businesses/organizations in manufacturing, dairy supply chain, or institutions sectors that partner with dairy processors are invited to apply. Grants available of $75,000 - $350,000.

Deadline to Apply: Mar. 17
Community Supported Agriculture Grant

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is now accepting applications for the Community Supported Agriculture Grant. This competitive grant is open to licensed childcare providers and afterschool programs who want to incorporate more local food into their programs.

Successful grantees will receive a grant to cover 80 percent of the cost of a CSA or farm share from the Vermont farm of their choosing. The maximum grant award is $1,000. Priority will be given to applicants who have not received this grant in the past.

Deadline to Apply: Feb. 18 @ Noon

The evolving pandemic has brought to light the importance of promoting agri-food products in local markets, purchasing locally sourced supplies, and selling direct to consumers. Join French-speaking partners to discuss innovative ways to make it easier for residents, tourists, and businesses to buy local. These initiatives promote local products and short distribution chains to limit the number of go-betweens and bring producers in closer contact with consumers. The first hour of this free webinar will be in English and the second hour will be in French.

Webinar: Feb. 15 @ 11 a.m.

The 40th annual NOFA-VT Winter Conference, Dream Into Being, is an invitation to pause, collectively dream the agricultural future we long for, and learn together about seeds to plant today to grow the fruits of tomorrow. Each year, the Winter Conference provides a valuable opportunity for all food-system workers, activists, and enthusiasts to participate in a vibrant community event by sharing ideas, resources, and skills. It is a time to celebrate, gather, and connect over the winter. This year's conference is online, featuring interactive workshops, a featured speaker series, trivia night, a film screening, and more!

Winter Conference: Feb. 17- Mar. 5
Vermont Pay for Phosophorus Program Applicaiton Deadline January 31st

https://agriculture.vermont.gov