VAAFM: Apply for the Spring Farm Agronomic Practices Program

Submitted by tim on Mon, 04/17/2023 - 00:33

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The VAAFM Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) Program invests state funds in soil-based agronomic practices to improve soil quality, increase crop production, and reduce erosion and surface runoff from agricultural fields.

Grant applications are currently open for spring conservation practices planned to be installed prior to June 30, 2023, including manure injection, conservation tillage, no-till pasture and hayland renovation, and rotation of cropland into hay.

Funding is limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis, so apply now! Applications are due at least 30 days prior to implementation for all spring conservation practices.

We recommend that farmers plan as far ahead as possible for implementation of agronomic practices, especially when seeking financial assistance. There is a maximum annual funding cap of $8,000 per farm operation from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

Click for More Info and Program Requirements

Existing Dairy Processor
Grant Now Open

Dairy processors across the Northeast can now apply for the Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center.

With a total of $12 million in funding, this grant funds specialized equipment to help processors increase the use of regionally sourced milk and expand regional dairy processing capacity.

This grant is broken into three tiers depending on processor size.

Applications are open now! Tier one applications are due May 11th, and Tier two/three are due August 24th.

Watch an informational webinar

WLEI Grantee Highlight:
Tree House Hardwoods

Lucas of the Tree House Hardwoods and Mill Shop says "there is a butcher block mentality or state of mind." In the world of home design, it's a state of mind that prioritizes bringing the outside in.

In recent years, Vermont Butcherblock Company, located within the Treehouse business, could barely keep up. The lead time for their Vermont maple countertops was eight weeks.

A grant from the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is helping to cut that process down to two weeks and creating a need to source more Vermont maple for countertop production.

Read the full story

Enhanced Lighting
Rebates for Dairy Farms

New enhanced custom rebates for agriculture lighting on dairy farms are now available from Efficiency Vermont.

Dairy Farms that have purchased DLC listed lighting in 2023 can contact Efficiency Vermont to receive up to $190 per fixture.

These rebates are available for a limited time. Goat dairies are also eligible.

Reach out to Efficiency Vermont at 1-888-921-5990 or through their contact form to get started.

More details

Step Into Agritourism
With a Farm Trail!

Looking for a fun, easy, and low-cost way to start incorporating agritourism on your farm?

Why not start with a farm trail? Many visitors and Vermonters alike are looking for beautiful places in which to explore the outdoors.

Farm trails (or farm walks) offer visitors a healthy and safe place to be outside, engage with the working landscape, and enhance their knowledge and appreciation of agriculture. Learn more about setting up a farm trail on this week’s blog!

Read the full blog

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar