VAAFM: Correction and updates on Working Lands Grants

Submitted by tim on Thu, 10/07/2021 - 12:11

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets We wanted to correct a mistake that went out in last week's newsletter. The article about new grants available through the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative listed the maximum award amount for the Standard Business grant as $15,000. The good news: the maximum award amount is actually $25,000!

While we're on the subject of Working Lands grants, here is quick roundup of all the great funding opportunities currently available, and some new ones coming soon.

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is currently accepting applications for three different grant opportunities. These grants are designed to help your organization with everything from infrastructure, marketing, meat processing, professional development projects and more.

The following funding opportunities are currently open. All have a November 1 deadline:

Standard Business Grants: Awards of $10,000 - $25,000
Meat Slaughter and Processing Grants: Awards of $50,000 - $100,000
Producer Association Grants: Awards of $10,000 - $20,000

Starting tomorrow, the pre-application for two more grant opportunities will be released for reading and reviewing. If your farm, food, or forest business is seeking an investment to amplify your existing activities or scale up your impact, be sure to check these out. The pre-application for both grants will open on October 22, with a deadline to apply of December 6.

Supply Chain Impact Grants: Awards of $25,000 - $75,000
Project activities under these grants will demonstrate how the market or product the applicant is developing or expanding will positively impact multiple businesses within its own supply chain.

Market Level Infrastructure Impact Grants: Awards of $75,000 - $250,000
Project activities under these grants will illustrate how the market or product the applicant is developing or expanding will positively impact multiple businesses and/or create a new market. Only low-grade wood, forest products and/or value-added agriculture product sectors are eligible to apply.

Questions? Contact Program Lead Lynn Ellen Schimoler