$500,000 in Funding for Vermont's Fairs & Field Days!

Submitted by tim on Sun, 11/06/2022 - 23:30

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Fairs and Field Days Capital Grants and Operational Stipends Program is now taking applications! Vermont Fairs and Field Days draw over 300,000 visitors each year, and many of the fairgrounds are utilized for other events, drawing many more visitors into Vermont communities throughout the year.

Fairs and events offer opportunities for the agricultural community to highlight the practices, products, skills, and livelihoods that contribute to maintaining Vermont’s working landscape.

$300,000 is available for 20-year capital improvement projects that Fairs across the state can use for lighting, building, electrical, and structural upgrades. $200,000 is available in the form of stipends, which support operating costs.

This critical commitment to supporting the state's Fairs and Field Days comes as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and venture out to reconnect with our communities.

If you are a Fair or Field Days organization, you can review the request for applications or head to our website for more details on applying. If you have questions, contact Drew Watson, [email protected] or 802-636-7793.

Click Here for More Information

Vermont Trades Scholarship Forgivable Loan Program

Funded by the Vermont Legislature, this new forgivable loan program covers up to full tuition, initial licensing fees and exam fees for qualified recipients.These loans support enrollment in industry-recognized training and certification programs that lead to a career in select building, mechanical, industrial or medical trades; emergency services; energy including clean energy, energy efficiency or weatherization, and many more industries.

Funding is awarded to qualifying applicants with financial need on a first-come, first-served basis until funds have been depleted. Applicants must register with Department of Labor to receive relevant job referrals, if unemployed.

Awards are in the form of an interest-free loan which is forgiven when the recipient signs a promissory note and agrees to work in their profession in VT for a minimum of one year for each year of funding received following licensure/certification.

Begin your application!

Add Your Community's Voice to Vermont Food Security Planning by Dec. 31!

Give Input on the Vermont Food Security Plan

Vermont is developing a Food Security Action Plan. You can help ensure that many Vermont residents lend their voice to the plan, by joining the statewide community outreach effort this fall.

Farm to Plate has provided four different methods for gathering feedback and written a toolkit of questions and instructions to help guide your outreach efforts. Some only take five minutes, others are more involved.

You can share a digital survey, talk to people one-on-one, host a 30-minute session during a Zoom meeting, or facilitate an in-person meeting.

Please use the toolkit between now and December 31st. Click here to sign up and Farm to Plate staff will reach out, give you the toolkit, and answer any questions.

Your relationships and outreach can help the plan include the perspectives of many people across the state!

Input Deadline: December 31st

Vermont Everyone Eats Feasibility and Strategic Planning Project

Vermont Everyone Eats Seeks a Consultant

Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) administers the Vermont Everyone Eats program.

They are seeking proposals for a Consultant who will examine and determine the feasibility of various models and make recommendations for one or more post-pandemic programs for distributing prepared meals.

These recommendations should focus on programs that will support economic development, food security, and local food systems resilience, with funding from VT state and federal funding sources.

The Request for Proposals is available and submissions should be emailed directly to [email protected].

Proposal Deadline: November 15th

UVM Online Analytics Certificate

The University of Vermont has an Online Analytics Certificate designed for professionals in data analytics, small businesses, and non-profit marketing.

Students enrolled in the course will complete three 3.5-hour modules covering conversional rate optimization, Google Analytics, and web analytics. This is followed by a capstone project and a Mimic Analytics Simulation.

This course is best for professionals who want to create digital marketing campaigns, assess their effectiveness, or build their business. The course accepts rolling admissions and is online and self-paced. The time commitment is 10 hours per week and the program costs $1,475.

Registration is open!

Admissions Deadline: Rolling

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar

Our website address is:
https://agriculture.vermont.gov