Investing in Vermont's Food, Forest, and Farm Economy

Submitted by tim on Mon, 02/21/2022 - 03:31

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Working lands farm, food, and forest businesses are integral to Vermont’s landscape. They are the cornerstone of the Vermont economy, a top source for job creation, and fundamentally part of what makes Vermont a quality place to live.

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) supports innovative entrepreneurs at the forefront of Vermont’s Working Lands economy through technical and financial assistance to help growing businesses thrive. Focus areas and funding categories are annually assessed to ensure adequate attention toward the priority issues and needs of the agricultural and forestry industries. Investments are designed to support businesses at pivotal stages of development.

Since its formation in August 2012, the Working Lands Enterprise Board has awarded over $7.3 million in grant funds to over 200 Vermont working lands businesses, leveraging more than $11 million in matching funds. View the complete list of previously funded projects, and read the full 2021 Impact Report to visit with the priorities of the Working Lands Enterprise Board, and the stories of the grantees this past year.

2021 Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Impact Report

DBIC-NE Seeking Multiple Service Providers

Seeking Dairy TA Providers

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center seeks multiple service providers to offer technical assistance for dairy farmers considering transitioning their farm to a grass-based production model, enhancing production of home-grown forages, and/or utilizing alternative farm management strategies not typically found in the U.S. dairy sector. Service providers will recruit localized cohorts of at least five Northeast dairy farms to participate in on-farm group and individual business and technical assistance over 18-24 months. A total of $500,000 in funding is available for several contracts up to $150,000 in this round.

Proposals due: Mar. 29

Northeast Extebsuib Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series

Fruit Consortium Webinar Series

The Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium will be once again presenting its Winter Fruit Meeting Series. These meetings are free and registration is required to virtually attend. Each session will run from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. When offered, pesticide credits are only available to attendees who participate in the live session.

Feb. 22 - Precision Crop Load Management in Honeycrisp
Mar. 8 - Understanding the Ins and Outs of Cooper & use Against Bacterial Disease Management on Stone Fruits
Mar. 15. - Herbicides: Materials, Timing, and Rates
Mar. 22 - Northeast Cider Apple Project
Mar. 29 - Plum Curculio Research Update and Management

Just Sustainabilities in Policy, Planning, and Practice

Just Sustainabilities Webinar

Dr. Julian Agyeman, Professor of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, and Fletcher Professor of Rhetoric and Debate at Tufts University, is one of the leading thinkers in environmental justice and food justice.

In this talk, Julian will outline the concept of just sustainabilities as a response to the ‘equity deficit’ of much sustainability thinking and practice. He will explore his contention that who can belong in our cities will ultimately determine what our cities can become. He will illustrate his ideas with examples from urban planning and design, the ‘Minneapolis Paradox’ and food justice.

Webinar: Feb. 23 @ 4 p.m.

On-Farm Poultry Butchery Class

At this processing workshop, participants will learn how to cut a whole bird in different ways in person at Roma's Butchery in South Royalton. Farmers who slaughter their poultry on-farm can only sell them as whole birds – which can be unusual and tricky for customers.

This is an educational series on the processing of poultry guided by Elizabeth Roma. Elizabeth is a professional butcher and farmer who co-owns Putting Down Roots Farm and Roma's Butchery. Registration and advanced ticket purchase is required to attend. Participants are able to take home 2-3 freshly cut chickens.

Workshop: Feb. 26 @ 12 p.m.

VT Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Funding Opportunity Application Deadline Feb. 27

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar