Grants for Farmers

Grant Opportunities

Updated February 2024

New Hampshire:

Vermont:

Community Supported Agriculture Grant

The VAAFM Farm to School and Early Childhood Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Grant will partially reimburse childcare providers or after school programs for CSA shares purchased from Vermont farms or farm/producer collaboratives.

The maximum grant award for this funding opportunity is $1,500. CSA Grants will reimburse programs for 65-80% of the cost of a summer and/or fall CSA share.

Programs can use local food purchased with a CSA Grant in the following ways:

• Served in meals and snacks

• Sent home with children and/or families

• Used in cooking activities with children and/or families

Register for an optional informational webinar on Tuesday, February 13th at 11 AM.

Learn More and Apply by March 8th

Meat and Produce Agriculture Development Grants

For-profit produce, livestock, and slaughter operations are eligible. Eligible projects include infrastructure improvements, equipment and material upgrades, safety and quality improvements, staff and management training, and improved operations management.  Awards range from $30,000-$350,000. There is no match requirement.
Application deadline: February 26th, 2024

Other VT Programs

1. AgCWIP - grants for local and regional partners to work with farms to improve water quality. To help come into compliance with regulations, reduce pollution, improve climate resiliency and/or soil health, improve economic and environmental viability of farms. This includes a wide range of projects! Ask Mike or your Conservation District if you have ideas and aren’t sure if they apply. Due December 20, 4:30 pm. Here for more information.

2. Best Management Practices - technical assistance and cost share to comply with RAPs. Here for more information.

3. Pasture and Surface Water Fencing (PSWF) Program - technical assistance and cost share for pasture improvements and livestock exclusion from surface water. Here for more information.

4. Grassed Waterway and Filter Strip (SWFS) Program - technical assistance and cost share to create perennial vegetated areas (that can be harvested!), grassed waterways, filter strips and critical source areas. Here for more information.

5. Conservation Reserve Enhancement (CREP) - funds to reduce sediment runoff (erosion) and improve water quality, by taking land out of production for vegetated buffers. Here for more information.

6. Goat & Sheep Dairy Supply Chain Development Grants (opens in December?) - funds to develop or expand goat and/or sheep dairy products or markets that will positively impact multiple businesses within the goat and/or sheep dairy supply chain. Projects will increase the exposure and promotion of regionally produced goat/sheep dairy products through supply chain impacts. $15,000 - $50,000 with 25% match. Here for more information.

7. Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant (opens in December?) - grants for dairy farmers, processors, and/or producer associations to take actionable steps to improve the safety of dairy products. Projects funded through this program will support increased production safety standards with the goal of accessing new markets. Here for more information.

8. Specialty Crop - grants to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops (vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, honey, hops, maple, mushrooms…). 2024 Vermont SCBGP Information Session Webinar. Register here for the event on December 12, 2023 at 3:00-4:00 PM. Submit your pre-application in WebGrants by January 14, 2023 at 11:59 PM. Here for more information.