Apply to Vend at Harvest New England and Vermont Day at the Big E
Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The Big E — New England’s largest fair — returns to West Springfield, Massachusetts this fall from September 12th –28th.
Vermont businesses are invited to apply to vend on the lawn of the Vermont Building on the Avenue of States during two special events. These events are a great way for Vermont business to try out vending at the Big E without a multi-day commitment.
Vermont Day – Saturday, September 20th
Vermont Day is one of the most popular days at The Big E, drawing in 180,000 visitors last year. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your Vermont-made products to a huge and enthusiastic crowd. We are also seeking vendors and artisans who would like to demonstrate their craft on Vermont Day. Live demos are a major attraction and help to bring your brand to life in an engaging, interactive way.
Harvest New England Day – Friday, September 26th
This farmers’ market-style event highlights food and fiber producers from across New England. It is a perfect way to reach new audiences and gain regional exposure!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of these high-traffic, high-visibility events! Applications for both Vermont Day and Harvest New England Day are due June 1st.
What does the dairy industry mean to Vermont? The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is pleased to introduce a new report that helps answer that question.
The report, entitled “Vermont Dairy Delivers”, identifies the annual economic impact of Vermont’s dairy industry as $5.4 billion dollars, growing from $2.6 billion ten years ago. This is just one data point among many in the new report showing how dairy has evolved and sustained itself through the hard work of our state’s dairy farmers, the producers and processors that provide and create great nutritious dairy products, and the thousands of employees keeping our working lands productive and vital.
Read the report
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, a Vermont based entrepreneurial support organization, is excited to announce the launch of the Forest Business Accelerator 2025.
This program will provide forest business startups and seed stage businesses with a comprehensive commercialization curriculum and connections to industry experts, customers, suppliers, partners, pilots, and investors.
The Forest Business Accelerator is seeking innovative start-up and seed stage ventures that are focused on commercializing new and improved products, services, and technology in the forest and wood industry.
Apply by June 7th
New Maple Price Reporting Program
Are you a Vermont maple syrup or sap producer? We are looking for producers like you to join the new Maple Price Reporting Program!
This program will track pricing and production trends over time. By sharing your monthly sales and pricing information, you’ll help improve transparency and market insights across the industry, and earn a $25 stipend for each month you report.
Your anonymized data will contribute to monthly reports showing weighted average prices for various syrup grades and bulk sap sales.
Learn more
Join UVM Extension and the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association for a workshop on blueberry plant health and pollinators at Wildwood Berry Farm on May 21st.
Farm owner, Rick Travers, will provide an overview of his farm's practices and will share his experience with making and selling value-added products. Experts will discuss nutrient management, pruning, mulching, how to optimize habitat to support pollinators, and how to capture and ID pollinators. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) staff will also describe programs that can provide funding for conservation practices on berry farms.
Learn more
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
May
5/8 - Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant deadline
June
6/1 - Harvest New England & Vermont Day application due
6/5 - Catalyzing Regional Dairy Workforce Grant deadline
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View the VAAFM Grants Calendar
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620
https://agriculture.vermont.gov