VAAFM: Local Food Purchase Assistance Plus Program Opens Oct 30

Submitted by tim on Mon, 10/16/2023 - 04:49

Local Food Purchase Assistance Plus Program Opens October 30th!

The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is excited to announce the release of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Plus grant opportunity! This program is administered by the USDA via the Agency of Agriculture and provides funds for purchasing Vermont produced foods.

The primary goal of the program is to procure Vermont food products from socially disadvantaged farmers and producers for distribution to underserved communities. Exceptions to Vermont food products can be made for culturally preferred foods, with grant manager approval.

Project awards will range from $15,000 to $60,000 with no match requirement. A total of $500,000 is available to award.

Please join us on October 27th at 2PM for a Webinar on LFPA Plus with time to answer your questions! The Request for Applications and program factsheet can be found on our website. Applications open on October 30th and close on December 12th at 2PM.

Reach out to Sarah McIlvennie at [email protected] or 802-261-5866 with any questions.

Read the Request for Applications

Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant
This Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant will fund a wide range of projects that prioritize long term farm viability and climate/economic resilience.

Project examples include modernization of outdated specialized farm equipment; farm-scale appropriate technology improvements; development of green technologies, and more.

Awards will range from $15,000 - $100,000 with a 25% match commitment. The Request for Applications is available now and the application opens on October 27th.

Application deadline: December 7th

UVM Extension
Bedded Pack Workshops
Are you a dairy or livestock producer interested in learning more about using bedded pack barns on your farm?

If so, join Dr. Marcia Endres and University of Vermont Extension for a workshop on the benefits, challenges, and management best practices when planning a bedded pack barn. Bob Thompson of NRCS will share information about bedded pack management in VT and available financial support programs.

Join on Wednesday October 25th at Stony Pond Farm in Fairfield or Thursday October 26th at Deer Flats Farm in Pawlet. The workshops are free, registration is requested.

Workshops: October 25th and 26th

Maple Agriculture
Development Grant

The Maple Agriculture Development Grant opportunity opens October 17th!

The primary goals of this funding are to support maple producers in climate resilience, operational efficiency, and food safety and quality.

Project awards will range from $15,000 to $100,000 with no match requirement. A total of $543,750 is available to award.

Please join us on October 17th at 6PM for a webinar with time to answer your questions. The Request for Applications (RFA) and program factsheet can be found on our website.

Application deadline: November 21st

Creating a Regional Food System, One Warehouse at a Time

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund has a new article highlighting the work of Food Connects in Brattleboro.

Food Connects has a vision that VT farmers and food producers will be able to supply more food to more people in the region, especially with a recently launched capital campaign to expand to a 10,000 square foot warehouse.

They participated in the Vermont Small Business Development Center's Community Navigator Pilot Program and received business coaching from the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. Food Connects is working towards larger scale support for entrepreneurs, farmers, and food producers.

Read the full story!

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar