By james art 
Agency for Agriculture, Food and Markets Attention Farm and Forest Owners in Washington, Chittenden, Essex and Caledonia Counties! USDA’s emergency programs can help restore farmland or non-industrial forests that suffered damage during the flooding and severe storms of last July.
USDA’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Assistance (EFRP) are open to Washington, Chittenden, Essex and Caledonia counties.
For Caledonia and Essex counties – contact your local FSA county office and ask for help beforehand December 20.
For Washington and Chittenden Counties – Contact your local FSA District Office and request assistance beforehand December 23.
These programs can provide additional assistance in addition to the financial support available to businesses through the BEGAP program.
Find your local FSA office
Working Lands Business Improvement Grant Reminder
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Business Improvement Grant application is currently open to Vermont farms and forest products businesses. Food and distribution businesses may be eligible if they meet certain requirements for local sourcing of raw materials or products.
Applicants can apply for grants from $10,000 to $50,000. There is no matching requirement this year. Learn more and ask questions in weekly virtual Q&A sessions.
Apply by December 12
Funding for businesses affected by the July floods and storms
Don’t miss your chance to get financial support for this summer’s flood damage.
The Business Emergency Assistance Program (BEGAP) provides funding to businesses, nonprofits, landlords and farms that have suffered physical damage from flooding and severe storms.
If you have any questions, please send an email [email protected] or call the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets at 802-828-2430 and press 0.
Apply by November 15th
Help inform Vermont’s clean water budget
The Vermont Clean Water Board is seeking public input on the state’s clean water budget for fiscal year 2026. until November 17.
Vermonters can weigh in on how they would like to prioritize approximately $44.5 million in funding for projects to protect and improve water quality in our rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands.
Visit the Clean Water Council webpage to learn more about Vermont’s clean water funding and share your feedback on the draft budget.
Learn more
Bill 181 Amendments to farm ancillary businesses
This past summer, the Legislature passed Act 181, which included changes to Act 143, Governing Additional Farm Business (AOFB).
Act 181 expanded the ability of AOFBs to sell qualifying products not produced on the farm where the AOFB is located, added new types of eligible products and created related Act 250 exemptions.
This week on the blog we discuss these changes and how they can help farmers improve their bottom line.
Read the blog
Upcoming dates and deadlines
November
7/11 – Service Provider and Manufacturer Association Grant Deadline
11/14 – Farm to School and Early Childhood Capacity Building Grant Deadline
11/15 – Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) deadline.
December
12/5 – Deadline for on-farm milk storage and processing grant
12/12 – Business Improvement Grant Deadline
12/15 – Deadline for capital grants and operating grants for fairs and field days
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View the VAAFM grants calendar
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
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