Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets What does the next 10 years in dairy look like? Come to the Northeast Dairy Innovation Summit to find out!
A dairy system that works for farmers, processors, and consumers isn’t out of reach – but it does require innovation across the sector. At the Summit, you’ll hear from farmers and processors who are leading the way toward a profitable and resilient dairy sector.
You’ll find workshops on farm technology, climate-smart strategies to increase profit, processing and packaging solutions, workforce development, and growing opportunities for goat and sheep dairy.
Early bird registration ends on March 1st. Register today for the best rates, with special discounts for farmers, processors, and students.
Reminder: Community Supported Agriculture Grants
Early childhood programs and afterschool programs may apply for the Farm to School and Early Childhood Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) grant.
The CSA grant partially reimburses programs for the cost of a summer and/or fall CSA share from a Vermont farm.
Local food purchased with a CSA grant can be served in meals and snacks, sent home with children and/or families, or used in cooking activities with children and/or families.
The maximum grant award is $1,500.
Application deadline: March 8th
Showcase Your Products at the Vermont Building at the Big E
The application is open to vend at the Vermont Building at the 2024 Big E!
The Vermont Building is one of six public market style buildings on the Avenue of the States at the Big E, a 17-day fair and exposition which takes place each September in West Springfield, MA.
During this event, which brings in approximately 1.6 million people each year, the Vermont Building hosts a variety of Vermont food and retail businesses which showcase the best of what our state has to offer. The 2024 Big E will take place September 13th-29th.
You can find eligibility requirements and more information on the Vermont Building webpage.
Application deadline: March 17th
Apply for Organic Transition
Initiative Funding
If you are a farmer, rancher, forest landowner, or other producer beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification, you can apply for funding from the Organic Transition Initiative.
This USDA program supports conservation activities and practices required for organic certification and may provide foregone income reimbursement for dips in production during the transition period.
Apply through your local USDA Service Center.
Application deadline: March 1st
New Vermont Goat
Dairy Research
New research on the potential for goat dairy development is now available.
Funded by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center and conducted by Vermont Creamery and University of Vermont Extension, the research looks at existing goat dairies in Vermont, from farmstead cheese producers to fluid milk producers, to understand the potential for conversion or diversification.
Get the key findings and view a webinar from Vermont Creamery on the new Northeast Dairy Innovation Center website
Learn more about goat dairies
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
February
2/22 - Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant deadline
2/22 - No-Till & Cover Crop Conference
2/22 - Orange and Windsor Counties VAAFM Listening Session
2/26 - Meat and Produce Agriculture Development Grant deadline
March
3/4 - Small Farm Diversification and Transition Grant deadline
3/8 - Community Supported Agriculture Grant deadline
3/17 - Vend in the Vermont Building at the Big E deadline
3/19 - Agricultural Pesticide Applicator Meeting
3/20 - 2024 Grain Growers Conference
April
4/2 and 4/3 - Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Summit
4/9 - Initial Pesticide Certification Meeting
4/11 - Farm to School and Early Childhood Vision Grant deadline
View the VAAFM Grants Calendar
Copyright © 2024, All rights reserved.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620
https://agriculture.vermont.gov