Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Do you operate a farm or forest business, or a food business that uses local products? Or are you a producer association or service provider that works with these businesses? Are you looking for funds for equipment, infrastructure, marketing, climate-focused projects, research, or workforce development?
If so, consider applying for a Working Lands Enterprise Initiative grant! Applications will open throughout the fall and winter, with awards announced throughout the winter and spring. These awards should be for projects that you will start working on in spring/early summer 2024.
Most grants expect a match equal to 100% of the grant request, meaning an organization or business applying for a $25,000 should expect to contribute $25,000 in their own cash and/or labor. Please note, applicants can only apply to one WLEI grant during Fiscal Year 2024.
Find Details For Each Grant Here
Vermont Compost Operator Certification Training
Join the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and the 131° School of Composting on Sept. 15th for a compost operator certification training.
This daylong workshop is focused on operator competency in compost site management and regulatory compliance, and includes a dynamic combination of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.
Through the workshop, participants will receive a compost operator certificate. Registration is required. The cost to attend is $30.
Register here
Applying Agroforestry
Practices in Vermont
Join NOFA-VT at Valley Clayplain Forest Farm in New Haven on Sept. 10th for an introduction to agroforestry and how it can diversify farms of all styles, shapes, and sizes.
Examine a number of promising species and receive an overview of agroforestry fundamentals. This workshop will be outdoors and field-based with a mini lecture for 40 minutes, followed by a walk-and-talk tour.
Registration is required. The cost to attend is $25 for members, $35 for non-members, and free for BIPOC.
Register here
Reminder: The Farm Feed-Finder Marketplace is Live
A reminder that if you are looking for feed in the wake of the severe July flooding, or have excess feed to sell, you can now use the Farm Feed-Finder Marketplace, hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets.
Those selling or seeking hay, alfalfa, corn, soy, silage, and haylage can easily advertise their feed or quickly view availability, location, and pricing.
Registration is free and takes just a few minutes!
Use the Marketplace
Revisiting the International Workshop on Agritourism
This week marks one year since we had the exciting honor of hosting the International Workshop on Agritourism (IWA) here in Vermont. While there is an international conference on agritourism every other year, it is unlikely to be held in the states again for quite some time.
However, there are many continuing opportunities to learn and connect through this global network of agritourism professionals. Check out this week’s blog to learn more and see how you can get involved!
Read the full blog!
View the VAAFM Grants Calendar
Working Lands Funding Opportunity Cycle
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) offers funding opportunities to a variety of business structures encompassing forest, farm, and food enterprises. These include producer associations, farms, food cooperatives, business assistance provider organizations and more. The amount of funds available is determined each year through the state's annual budget cycle. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) meets each summer to decide which funding opportunities to offer for the coming year based on available funds and needs across Vermont.
July: State of Vermont Legislature and the Governor pass the state budget and approve appropriation to the Working Land Enterprise Fund (WLEF) for upcoming fiscal year.
June-August: WLEB convenes their annual symposium to strategize funding prioritization.
August-November: Agency staff conduct outreach and webinars to provide guidance on the upcoming application process.
September-January: Applications open and accept applications for about six weeks prior to application deadline. A group of subject matter experts and thought partners carefully review each completed application and provide a slate of recommendations to the WLEB.
November-April: WLEB makes final award decisions. Applicants are notified by email in the order that applications closed. Applicants that were not awarded receive feedback from the WLEB on their applications.
December-May: Agency staff work with awardees to finalize grant or contract agreements for awarded projects.
Working Lands Funding Opportunities
Do you operate a farm or forest business, or a food business that uses local products? Or are you a producer association or service provider that works with these businesses? Are you looking for funds for equipment, infrastructure, marketing, climate-focused projects, research, or workforce development? If so, consider applying for a Working Lands Enterprise Initiative grant! Applications will open throughout the fall and winter, with awards announced throughout the winter and spring. These awards should be for projects that you will start working on in spring/early summer 2024.
Most grants expect a match equal to 100% of the grant request, meaning that for example an organization or business applying for a $25,000 should expect to contribute $25,000 in their own cash and/or labor. Find details for each grant online at workinglands.vermont.gov.
Applicants can only apply to one WLEI grant during Fiscal Year 2024.
For other VAAFM grant opportunities, please visit https://agriculture.vermont.gov/grants. In our efforts to reduce duplicative programming within the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM), the WLEB will not fund water quality or soil health equipment and infrastructure projects that are eligible for funding under existing programs of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. For example, the Best Management Practices program funds manure management structures such as manure pits and bedded packs, the Pasture and Surface Water Funding program funds fencing, water systems and laneways for rotational grazing, and the Capital Equipment Assistance Program funds innovative conservation equipment such as manure injection toolbars, grain drills, and no-till planters. For more information on Water Quality focused funding opportunities, see https://agriculture.vermont.gov/water-quality/assistance-programs.
The following Working Lands Enterprise Initiative funding opportunities will be available for Fiscal Year 2024:
General Business and Applicant Resources
- Working Lands Applicant and Grantee FAQ
- Required Forms and Navigating WebGrants
- Goals, Performance Measures, and Outcomes
- Business Plan Template
- FAQ - Act 250 and applying for Working Lands Funds
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620