Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Applications are now open for the School Food Systems Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants, which are part of USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.
These grants will transform the K-12 school food marketplace by increasing collaboration between school districts, food producers, suppliers, distributors, and/or community partners. Students can expect to see improvements in the quality of food on their plates, thanks to these new efforts.
Two opportunities are open:
The Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems (SCALES) sub-grants will award up to 35 rural School Food Authorities across the United States up to $150,000 to build partnerships for innovative solutions to increase local procurement in school meal programs. The SCALES application closes January 26th.
The Partnerships for Local Agriculture & Nutrition Transformation in Schools (PLANTS) sub-grants will fund eight collaborative projects that advance system and equity-driven approaches to transforming school food supply chains. The PLANTS application closes January 22nd.
For eligibility requirements and more details, please click below.
Learn More about the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative
Building Executive Business
Skills Program
The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is partnering with the law firm Paul Frank + Collins to provide a "Building Executive Business Skills Program" for Vermont working lands businesses.
This free program will provide business owners in Vermont's ag, food, forest, and wood products sectors with an increased awareness and understanding of executive business skills. Value-added food businesses that source 50% or more of their ingredients from VT are also eligible.
The program runs from January 31st to June 26th. All costs are covered by the Agency of Agriculture. Enrollment is capped at 20 participating businesses and is first come, first served.
Application deadline: December 22nd
Reminder: Apply for a Trade Show Assistance Grant
A reminder that the application for Trade Show Assistance Grants is now live!
You can receive financial assistance to attend trade shows and meet new buyers. Trade shows provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers and expand into new domestic and international markets.
To apply, please review the full Request for Applications, then apply through WebGrants by January 15th.
Application deadline: January 15th
Register for the UVM Extension Master Gardener Program
Registration is open for the University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Program.
This 16-week online signature course covers the fundamentals of home gardening with content specific to Vermont's growing conditions.
The course starts on January 19th. The in-state cost is $400. The out-of-state cost is $550.
Registration deadline: January 12th
Pricing & Volume Data
for Hemp Commodities
Throughout 2023, AMS Market News and the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program have been working together to increase the availability, accessibility, and transparency of hemp market data. As a result of that work, you can now view the National Weekly Hemp Report.
This report provides free and unbiased pricing and volume data for multiple hemp commodities.
View the Weekly Hemp Report
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
12/20 - Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program deadline
1/14 - Specialty Crop Block Grant Program deadline
1/15 - Trade Show Assistance Grants deadline
1/18 - On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant deadline
1/19 - WLEI Supply Chain Impact Grants deadline
1/19 - VHCB Water Quality Grants deadline
View the VAAFM Grants Calendar
Copyright © 2023, All rights reserved.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620
https://agriculture.vermont.gov
