Funding Available to Support Trade Show Attendance by Vermont Businesses

Submitted by tim on Mon, 11/25/2024 - 05:46

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The Request for Applications is now available for the 2025 Trade Show Assistance Grant!

$50,000 is available to provide Vermont agricultural, food, and forestry businesses with funds to exhibit and sell their Vermont products at trade shows targeting out-of-state wholesale buyers.

These matching grants can partially offset the expenses associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers and expand into new domestic and international markets.

Applicants may request between $2,000 and $5,000 to offset the costs of up to five trade shows. Eligible applicants must have at least three wholesale accounts and their product(s) must meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129.

The application will be open from December 6th - January 20th. To learn more, read the Request for Applications.

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A Vermont Maker's Guide to Greener Packaging

A new guide to environmentally friendly packaging is now available, thanks to Big Picture Farm.

In 2022, Big Picture Farm received a $147,800 NE-DBIC Dairy Packaging Innovation Grant. Their project goal was to eliminate virgin plastic from every aspect of their distribution.

Since then, they’ve done just that – and as part of the grant, they created a guide for small to medium-sized businesses looking for greener options. The guide is filled with environmentally friendly packaging options that are recyclable, compostable, and FSC-certified.

Dairy processors will find suppliers for everything from cheese wrapping and food-safe film to pouches, stickers, and shipping materials.

Learn More

Specialty Crop Block Grant Pre-application Now Open

Pre-applications are now open for the 2025 Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program!

Approximately $180,000 in grants will be available to help strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries through research, consumer education, marketing, produce safety improvements, and more.

Eligible projects must be focused on specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, trees, horticulture, honey, hops, maple, and more) and benefit multiple producers.

Applicants can request $15,000 to $45,000 in funding, with a 50% match (in-kind or cash) required.

To learn more, read the Request for Applications and register for the applicant webinar on December 3rd.

Apply by January 8th

Assistance for Flood Damage to Farmland & Forests

The USDA Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) are still open for Washington, Chittenden, Essex and Caledonia counties.

If you’ve suffered a loss from the flooding or severe storms this past July, contact your local FSA County Office and request assistance before December 20th (Caledonia and Essex) or December 23rd (Chittenden and Washington).

Find Your Local FSA Office

No-till & Cover Crop Conference

Join UVM Extension on February 13th for their annual conference cover cropping, no-till agriculture, and manure management. Farmers, agriculture businesses, consultants, and agencies are all welcome.

Some great presenters are lined up, and the complete conference brochure will be released soon.

If you have an event related question, please contact Susan Brouillette at 802-656-7611 or [email protected].

Learn more

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

December
12/3 - Specialty Crop Block Grant applicant webinar
12/5 - On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant deadline
12/12 - Business Enhancement Grant deadline
12/15 - Fairs & Field Days Capital Grants and Operational Stipends deadline

January
1/8 - Specialty Crop Block Grant pre-application deadline
1/20 - Trade Show Assistance Grant deadline

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