Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Land for Good is hosting a free webinar series for farmers to learn about key issues, tools, and resources to help them make informed decisions and take steps towards transferring their farm to the next generation of their family or a non-family successor.
Farmers will learn from other farmers and from professionals who can help in the process. Topics include retirement, financial and estate planning, taxes, legal entities, and determining goals for retirement, business transitions, and your land. All generations, including family and non-family members who may play a role in your farm's future are encouraged to attend.
Farmers from across New England are welcome! Instructors include Mike Ghia, a Land For Good Vermont Field Agent, as well as a guest attorney and financial specialist.
Webinars will be held on Thursdays in January from 11am to 1pm. The scheduled topics are listed below.
- January 9th – Getting Started & Resources
- January 16th – Financial Considerations
- January 23rd – Legal Considerations
- January 30th – Farmer Panel
$50,000 is available to provide Vermont agricultural, food, and forestry businesses with funds to offset the costs associated with exhibiting and selling their Vermont products at trade shows targeting out-of-state wholesale buyers.
Applicants may request between $2,000 and $5,000 to offset the costs of up to five trade shows.
Eligible applicants must have at least three wholesale accounts and their product(s) must meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129.
Apply by January 20th
Specialty Crop Block Grant Pre-Application
The deadline for pre-applications for the 2025 Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is in a few short weeks.
Approximately $180,000 in grants is available to help strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries through research, consumer education, marketing, produce safety improvements, and more.
Projects that focus on specialty crops and benefit multiple producers can receive $15,000 to $45,000, with a 50% match required.
Apply by January 8th
Payments for Specialty Crop Producers
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering one-time direct payments to active producers of eligible specialty crops. The payments are intended to help producers expand markets and manage higher costs.
Payments will be be calculated based on estimated producer sales for 2025. To apply, businesses must file a Form FSA-1140 "Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program" to any FSA county office. You can find your local FSA service center by clicking here.
More information and a list of eligible specialty crops can be found at the MASC program website.
Apply by January 8th
Managing Your Farm Finances in the Time of Climate Crisis
Join The Carrot Project on January 23rd in Greenfield, MA for a farm financial training that will help you understand farm financial statements and take a proactive planning approach to adapting to climate change and other farm stressors.
This free training will help you establish or brush up on your skills with financial statements and increase what you can glean from them about your operation.
Given the everchanging environment in which farms operate, taking a proactive approach to risk in farm finances can provide peace of mind and keep finances “in the black” when it matters most.
Register by January 19th
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
January
1/8 - Specialty Crop Block Grant pre-application deadline
1/20 - Trade Show Assistance Grant deadline
February
2/13 - Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant deadline
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
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