VAAFM: NRCS funding deadline moved up

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Are you a farmer looking for assistance on your farm to improve soil health, increase flood resilience, or be climate smart? If so, you should consider applying for NRCS-VT funding for 2025.

The deadline to enroll for assistance from NRCS programs in 2025 has been moved up this year. Farmers interested in applying for NRCS-VT funding for 2025 must enroll with NRCS by August 23, 2024.

Once enrolled with NRCS, farmers will be eligible to apply for NRCS funded programs in 2025, including but not limited to: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP); and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). 

These programs provide funding and assistance for a variety of conservation practices, such as manure management, hoop houses, cover crops, reducing tillage, and more.

To enroll with NRCS, submit the application form to your local NRCS Service Center by August 23rd.

Find your local service center

Agriculture Flood Loss & Damage Survey

If you are a business, organization, or individual that raises animals, meat, or poultry and/or grows feed or crops for anyone beyond your immediate family, please fill out the Agriculture Flood Loss & Damage Survey.

Survey data will be used to inform flood response efforts, allocate resources, and advocate for future relief and recovery programs. 

Please call 802-828-2430 or email [email protected] if you have questions or need a paper copy or assistance filling out the survey.

Complete the survey by August 31st

New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant 

The Northeast Regional Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) has grant funds available for dairy farmers looking to diversify by adding processing to their operations, and for non-farm value-added business start-ups.

Grant funds may be used to purchase specialized dairy processing equipment and supplies, enhance food safety, improve marketing and branding, expand market access, and/or develop new products. 

Awards will range from $15,000 to $75,000, with a 25% match commitment. Approximately $500,000 in total funds are available this round. 

Apply by September 5th

Flood Damage Survey for Businesses

If you have a food systems business that suffered flood damage (other than farm damage/crop loss) from either of this past July’s weather events, please fill out the Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s (ACCD) Flood Damage Survey for Businesses.

While the Agriculture survey is about flood damage to production and farming, the ACCD survey is about non-farm damage, such as damage to a processing facility, a distribution truck, a retail space, etc. Please do not include any farmland damage or crop loss in this survey.

Your responses will help the state gather data on the full extent of food systems damage, including businesses that are not farming themselves.

Complete the survey now

Direct Market Producer Survey

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) invites agricultural producers who sell directly to consumers to complete the Direct Markets Survey. The survey, which will collect 2023 data, is an important tool that allows them to assess trends in the landscape of farm stands, CSAs, and farmers markets.

The survey takes about 50 minutes to complete if you have your sales information close at hand, and all responses are confidential. You will be entered into a raffle for multiple prizes upon completion of the survey.
 
The survey will also allow NOFA-VT to update or create your profile in their Farms & Producers Directory, as long as your farm is certified organic or is a Farm-level member of NOFA-VT.

Complete the survey by August 31st

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

August
8/20 – RFSI Equipment-only Grant Applicant Webinar 
8/31 – 2024 Agriculture Flood Loss & Damage Survey deadline 

September
9/5 – New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant deadline

October
10/1 – RFSI Equipment-only Grant deadline

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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620

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