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Working lands supply chain impact grants available

Submitted by tim on

Vermont Business Magazine This year, due to limited funds, the Working Lands Enterprise Grants will solely support Supply Chain Impact grant projects. Grant descriptions must demonstrate how the project will positively impact multiple businesses or have supply chain impacts. Grant awards are $25,000-$50,000 and first round applications are due December 6th.

Need an Example of a Supply Chain Grant Proposal?
Project Description: A potato farm requests funds to purchase equipment and infrastructure which will significantly increase the amount of potatoes they can grow each season.
Supply Chain Impact: The equipment will be leased at a low cost to six other farm enterprises who have two processors looking to procure their vegetables. The potato farm has also committed to sell product to a neighboring farm looking to diversify their new retail farm stand for curbside pick-up.
Outcome: Upon completion, product will be distributed to multiple players along the supply chain (retailers, restaurants, and schools) in addition to the ten businesses referenced above. This ultimately contributes to greater financial viability within the sector.

If you still need inspiration, take a look at last year’s projects. Click the link below to learn more and apply by December 6th.

Click here to apply for a grant now!
Vermont Maple Conference Week

UVM Extension and the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association (VMSMA) are hosting the virtual 2020 Vermont Maple Conference Week featuring sixteen online sessions led by maple industry experts and maple producers. Topics include maple business management, maple industry regulations, sugarbush health, marketing and media, and maple production and innovation. This virtual conference is free but participants must pre-register for each session.
Event Dates: December 6 - 11
Hand Washing Station Resources

Do you need a hand washing station at your farm, orchard, farmers market, or other agritourism business? Have you been putting it off due to lack of funds, time, or direction? Now’s the time! UVM Extension has funding to provide materials and technical support to help you make your hand washing station dreams come true. If you’re interested in funding support or just want some help building a hand washing station, click the link above. Contact Chris Callahan for more information.

Anti-Racism Training

Led by the DC-based Service to Justice this anti-racism training is based on shared learning and is grounded in the principles of reparations, healing, imagination, and movement. Limited space available. Hosted by the Farm-Based Education Network, Vermont Farm to Plate Network, the Vermont Farm to School Network, and the Northeast Farm to School Collaborative,
Event Dates: January 11 - 15
Sign up by November 27
High Tunnels After Dark 2020

The High Tunnel Conference will be online for three weekly evening sessions. Want to fine-tune your high tunnel crop production? This conference is for high tunnel vegetable growers and agricultural service providers of all experience levels. Pesticide applicator recertification credits will be available for those who attend live. Cost: $25 includes all sessions:
Dec. 1: Keynote & Kickoff
Dec. 8: Diseases & Insects
Dec: 15: Soil, Pest & Crop Management
Vermont Everyone Eats provides nutritious meals to Vermonters in need of food assistance, as well as a stabilizing source of income for Vermont restaurants, farmers, and food producers. Funded by the Vermont Legislature to address COVID impacts, Everyone Eats is a wonderful resource for our state whether you are looking to find a meal, are a restaurant or farm interested in helping, or seeking other resources to access food.

Source: Vermont Agency of Agriculture 11.22.2020