Specialty Crop Businesses: Apply for $2 Billion in USDA Funds
Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Calling ALL specialty crop producers! The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a new $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program this week, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs.
This one-time direct payment, available to any active producer of an eligible specialty crop, will be be calculated based on estimated producer sales for 2025. To apply, businesses must file a Form FSA-1140 “Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program” to any FSA county office by January 8, 2025.
Eligible commercial specialty crops include:
- Fruits (fresh, dried);
- Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed);
- Tree nuts;
- Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture;
- Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and
- Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed.
Contact your local FSA service center with questions.
Learn More
Dairy Farm Improvement and Modernization Grant
A new round of funding for dairy farm improvements and modernization is opening soon. This grant program supports dairy farmers to improve dairy operations and enhance long-term farm viability.
Eligible projects include modernizing production practices, adopting green technologies, transitioning to group calf housing, fostering new ownership or management models, and more. Funds can cover specialized equipment, training, and consultancy costs. Projects involving service providers or planners will be prioritized.
Applications will be accepted from January 2nd to February 13th.
Learn more
Farmer Resilience Grants
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) has grant funds to distribute directly to farmers to support projects that will improve longer-term resilience on farms.
Farmers may apply for up to $5,000, and groups of farmers may apply collectively for more money to support collaborative projects. No match is required.
Eligible farms will be located in Vermont and in business for at least one year. Projects must be able to be completed by December 31, 2025.
Apply by January 26th
Free Grant Course for Farmers
Agricultural businesses are invited to join a free introductory grant course on January 24th in Berlin.
This one-day course will help businesses navigate the world of grants and will explain the steps of the granting process. This course is not intended to assist with actual grant writing, but it will help you be fully prepared to complete an application.
Participants must be part of an agriculture business. Email [email protected] to apply for the course. Space is limited, so apply early!
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Used Bale Wrap Wanted
Attention farmers! The Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance (CRWFA) is seeking to collect used bale wrap from farmers in and near the Connecticut River valley for a pilot agriculture plastics recycling program.
The CRWFA will pick up bale wrap from your farm. Used wrap needs to be clean and dry. Bale juice is okay, but rocks, dirt, snow, and netting are not.
To be eligible, farmers must join the CRWFA for $50, if they are not already members.
Learn More
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
January
1/8 – Specialty Crop Block Grant pre-application deadline
1/20 – Trade Show Assistance Grant deadline
February
2/13 – Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant deadline
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