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Grant & Cost-Share Opportunities
Grant & Cost-Share Opportunities
Updated 9/27/26
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Deadline unclear, apply sooner the better
PASA Funding & Support to Expand Markets (AMP: Advancing Markets for Producers)
PASA Funding & Support to Expand Markets (AMP: Advancing Markets for Producers)
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture AMP will fund eligible business development activities for farms from Maine to South Carolina. For this funding Market Development is a very broad category that can include actual marketing expenses and activities that increase yield, protect crops, expand production, increase market channels, and more. NOFA-VT is one of the partners that farms work with. Learn more at this NOFA-VT page.
Funding and support are available through Advancing Markets for Producers grants to help farms strengthen their businesses, expand markets, and implement conservation practices. Program details are still evolving, and enrollment may take time and/or fill quickly. We encourage those interested to apply or submit an interest form soon.
October
10/14 - Northeast Farmers Fund (NEFF) application due
Application Window: October 1st – 14th
NEFF is distributing roughly $21.9 million directly to Northeast farmers through 2027, enrolling 385 producers across Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. The fund helps farms access markets for regenerative products — increasing economic viability, preserving working lands, and building climate resilience across the region — through funding, technical assistance, and soil analysis. Small- and mid-sized farms implementing or transitioning to regenerative production are the priority.
FUNDING CAN GO TOWARD
Equipment and infrastructure
Certification and verification
Post-harvest handling and value-added processing
Marketing, branding, packaging, or distribution improvements that open up new or higher-value markets
Complete the NEFF Interest Form to join our email list and receive updates about upcoming funding opportunities.
10/21 - Farm to School and Early Childhood Grant application due
10/26 - Farm to Institution Market Development Grant application due
10/26 - SARE large grant applications due
SARE Research and Education Grant (farmers and others) application due
SARE Research for Novel Approaches (proof of concept projects) application due
SARE Farming Community Grant (multi-state and regional projects) application due
SARE Professional Development Grant (service providers) application due
10/30 - Vermont First Innovation Grant application due
For supplying local food products (per Vermont Act 129) to University of Vermont Dining Services and Sodexo’s other Vermont First accounts. To enter and/or scale within the Sodexo institutional supply chain.
10/31 - Diesel Conversion/Replacement Grant application due (end of each month Oct, Nov, Dec)
Accepting Applications on a Rolling Monthly Basis Until December 2026 or Until Funding Runs Out!
Funding from Vermont’s allocation of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust is now available to help public and private fleets of all sizes replace diesel vehicles and equipment with zero-emission options. Beginning July 1st, Vermont DEC is accepting applications for vehicle and equipment electrification projects. Applications are due on the last day of each month, with awards announced monthly.
How Much Funding is Available?
How Much Funding is Available?
A total of $3,329,677 is available for projects that significantly reduce emissions from diesel-powered vehicles, engines, and equipment operating in Vermont.
November
11/5 - Working Lands Service Provider & Producer Association Grant application due
11/10 - Navigating Funding Opportunities for Vermont Dairy Producers (Woodstock, free)
11/12 - Navigating Funding Opportunities for Vermont Dairy Producers (Derby, free)
11/12 - Farm to School Community Supported Agriculture Grant application due
11/30 - Diesel Conversion/Replacement Grant application due (end of each month Oct, Nov, Dec)
December
12/10 - Business Enhancement Grant application due
12/15 - Farmer Resilience Grant (NOFA-VT) application due
12/17 - NE-DBIC Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant pre-application due
12/31 - Diesel Conversion/Replacement Grant application due (end of each month Oct, Nov, Dec)
Grants Coming Soon - learn more at the links
Northeast Grass-Fed Beef & Bison Initiative, in partnership with GRASS, is helping farmers enroll in a program that pays $3,000 to beef and bison producers to participate.
The USDA-funded program helps producers gain more profit out of their livestock through higher valuation of hides and byproducts, as well as training and education in regenerative grazing. NGBI is providing education and support for regenerative agricultural practices. These include increased soil health, water cycling, and retention; improved farmer/rancher livelihoods and profitability; better animal health and welfare; and enhanced soil carbon retention. Learn more about the program and how to enroll: info@ngbi.org
American Farmland Trust is partnering with Airbnb to launch the ‘Farm to Stay’ Grant Program, offering farmers and ranchers grants of up to $10,000 to start or expand agritourism stays and experiences—from farm stays and apple picking to wine tastings and farm-to-table dinners. With demand for farm stays growing and farming families facing continued economic pressures, agritourism can provide an important additional source of farm income while connecting more people to agriculture. Applications open in November, and farmers and ranchers can learn more and sign up for updates at farmland.org/farm-to-stay.
Workshops will be held on Wednesday, October 14th at 5:00 pm ET and Friday, November 13th at 12:00 pm ET. Register by clicking either date.
PASA Funding & Support to Expand Markets (AMP: Advancing Markets for Producers)
PASA Funding & Support to Expand Markets (AMP: Advancing Markets for Producers)
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture AMP will fund eligible business development activities for farms from Maine to South Carolina. For this funding Market Development is a very broad category that can include actual marketing expenses and activities that increase yield, protect crops, expand production, increase market channels, and more. NOFA-VT is one of the partners that farms work with. Learn more at this NOFA-VT page.
Funding and support are available through Advancing Markets for Producers grants to help farms strengthen their businesses, expand markets, and implement conservation practices. Program details are still evolving, and enrollment may take time and/or fill quickly. We encourage those interested to apply or submit an interest form soon.
Farmer Self-Care Grants
Since 2020, Real Farmer Care's flagship program has awarded self-care grants directly to farmers and ranchers — no strings attached. Starting Fall 2026, farmers can apply online for two grant types: the Immediate Care Grant ($200), for a single, immediate self-care need — a first therapy session, an initial body treatment after injury, or a restorative wellness visit — and the Sustained Care Grant ($1,000), for ongoing care across a farming season — a series of therapy sessions, multiple chiropractic or bodywork appointments, or sustained mental health support. Over 600 farmers across 45 states have already received a grant, each choosing exactly what care looks like for them: a massage, a therapy session, a gym membership, a night away from the farm.
Next Generation Farmer Fund
Next Generation Farmer Fund Applications Opens in October: The National Young Farmers Coalition recently announced their largest grant program yet: a $1 million+ initiative providing funding and technical assistance to young, regenerative farmers and ranchers across the country who are stewarding land through sustainable farming practices. Grant awards will range from $10,000-$50,000, with eligible project areas including carbon sequestration, soil health, water quality, biodiversity, supply chain resilience, and more. Applications will open in October for early 2027 selection.
Working Lands Grants (VT)
The upcoming round of WLEI grants will fund projects designed to start in the spring of 2027 and be completed within one year. Grants are available for farm, forest product, and local food businesses as well as service providers and producer associations that work with these type of businesses.
The Business Enhancement Grant will be open October 9 - December 10. Grant project planning assistance is available now on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes working with a business advisor from Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program for a few hours to think through what to apply for, review financial statements, and light review of the grant application. This does NOT include the business advisor filling out the application for you.
The Trade Show Assistance Grant will be open December 4 - January 20.
The Service Provider and Producer Association Grant is for a producer association or service provider that works with farm or forest product businesses. The application will be open from September 17 - November 5.
*There is no match requirement for the Business Enhancement Grant or Service Provider and Producer Association Grant. All grants will have an informational webinar at the beginning of the application period.
Contact working.lands@vermont.gov or 802-917-2637 with any questions. More information about each grant will be posted as soon as it is available. Help applying for Working Lands grants: https://workinglands.vermont.gov/grant-contract-opportunities/business-enhancement-grant
Ongoing
VT - Farmstead BMP
VT - Pasture and Surface Water Fencing
VT - CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs)
In June 2023, grant managers from across the Agency of Agriculture got together to deliver a 1.5 hour webinar on State grant opportunities available to Vermont farmers. The intended audience of this webinar was service providers who work with Vermont farmers. A very wide range of grant opportunities were discussed, including Water Quality grants (3:27 in webinar), Working Lands Enterprise Board grants (15:36), Dairy Business Innovation Center grants (33:21), marketing and branding resources and grants (53:21), Local Food Purchase Assistance grants (1:00:50), Farm First and PASA farmworker relief payments (1:09:45), and Produce Safety grants (1:18:50).
Help with Conference or Workshop costs
Agency of Ag: for farmers, custom operators, and service providers. Is there a conference or event (water quality-focused) that is expensive or far away? If you would like help paying for a training like that, the VT Agency of Ag can help. Click here for more information. For registration fees and/or travel costs. This is run through the FAP program (Farm Agronomic Practice).
FACT (Food Animal Concerns Trust) can offer up to $400 to attend a conference or workshop (for registration fees). Click here for more information.
Good Luck!
Other VT Programs
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.
Best Management Practices - technical assistance and cost share to comply with RAPs. Here for more information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And Other Resources
Farm Aid’s Farmer Resource Guides: Resources for farm financing, legal assistance, and beginning farmers.
Funds for Farmers: Funding resource list maintained by Marbleseed.
Understanding Federal Farm Programs: A 2021 guide from FACT about four of the USDA’s main programs for livestock farmers.
Grants and Loans for Farmers: Provided by the USDA, and provides general information federal funding opportunities.
Growing Opportunity – A Guide to USDA Sustainable Farming Programs: A 2017 guide that describes the various government programs available to sustainable farmers. It includes grant, loan, conservation, and cost-share opportunities.
Center for Rural Affairs: Fact sheets in English and Spanish about cost-share and other conservation programs offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Black Farmer Fund: Grants and loans for Black farmers and food business owners in NY and surrounding states.
Foodshed Capital: Low interest loans to help farmers with capital and land payments, with a focus on BIPOC farmers.
Frontera Farmer Foundation: Grants to farms serving the Chicago-metro area.
Organic Farming Research Foundation Grants: Grants to conduct research projects on organic farms.
RAFI-USA Grant Opportunities: Cost-share grants for farmers and groups in North Carolina.
The Carrot Project: Low interest loan and financing opportunities in New England.
The FruitGuys Community Fund: Grants for small farms and agricultural nonprofits for sustainability projects.
12/9/24
Page updated
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