Eagle Times Staff
MONTPELIER, VT — The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announced $200,000 in grant funds to strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries and producer associations. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, maple syrup and mushrooms) and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture).
Interested applicants should apply by Jan. 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
These grant funds will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assisting producers with research and development, expanding availability and access to specialty crops or addressing local, regional and national challenges for producers. Any entity may apply, but projects must benefit more than one specialty crop business, individual or organization.
In 2024, driven by feedback from stakeholders, an additional funding priority has been added for applicants to focus on: climate adaptation and resilience.
To apply, download the Request for Applications at tinyurl.com/44nd6wxa. The pre-application process will open Dec. 4. Applicants must submit a pre-application by Jan. 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. A review committee will invite the top-ranking projects to submit full applications.
VAAFM will conduct an information session webinar for all prospective applicants on Dec. 12, from 3-4 p.m. Register for the information session webinar at bit.ly/2024SCBGPWebinar.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awards Specialty Crop Block Grants to the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
In Vermont, VAAFM administers these funds to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont specialty crops. Funds are awarded through a competitive review process guided by industry, nonprofit and government stakeholders.
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