Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The first round of Working Lands Enterprise Initiative applications for fiscal year 2024 is open! The Working Lands Enterprise Board has released two requests for applications (RFAs) for Vermont working lands service provider organizations and producer associations to invest in projects focused on governance and leadership and building workforce development and executive business skills. Please read the RFAs to learn about the application process and review the application questions. The application portal is open from September 6th through October 16th.
Producer Association Grants: Award amounts $10,000 – $25,000
Vermont-based nonprofit producer association groups that represent and promote Vermont agriculture, food, beverage, forest, or fiber products are welcome to apply.
Service Provider Grants: Award amounts $10,000 – $25,000
Service Provider Grant projects will include the provision of direct and indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses through business assistance such as marketing plans, business and financial planning, and business transitions and succession.
Learn More About the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
Webinar: Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Grant
Join the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and technical service providers for a Vermont-specific webinar on the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) on September 14th at 2:30pm.
The MPPEP grant will help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their capacity and improve supply chain resiliency. Applications are due November 22nd. Awards range from $250,000 to $3 million.
VT Business Wins Dairy Product Innovation Competition
lu.lu Ice Cream was one of three winners at the inaugural Northeastern Dairy Product Innovation Competition.
Run by the Cornell Center for Regional Economic Advancement, the competition was funded by a $1 million grant from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. Each of the three winners took home a total of $75,000 along with ongoing industry mentorship.
Read an interview with the founder!
Reminder: Organic Cost Share Certification Program
A reminder that applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program are open until November 1st.
Certified organic operations may receive reimbursement of up to 75% of their certification costs paid between October 1st and September 30th annually, not to exceed $750 per certification scope.
Reimbursement is available on a first come, first served basis. Apply now!
Application deadline: November 1st
Chicken Processing Workshop With Rural Vermont
Join Rural VT at Union Brooke Farm in Northfield for a chicken processing workshop on October 1st from 1-4pm.
Emily Virzi and Rose Thackeray will teach participants the basics of raising, slaughtering, and processing meat chickens.
There is limited capacity, so register now! The cost is $70, which includes one whole chicken to take home.
View the VAAFM Grants Calendar
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
