Announcing a $1.7 million dairy grant Vermont Business Magazine

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Vermont Agricultural Food and Markets Agency The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Marketing, has announced three funding opportunities for dairy farmers and service providers.

Gift of milk storage and handling on the farm
Dairy farmers can apply for funding to purchase equipment and supplies to improve milk storage, handling and energy efficiency. Applicants can choose from the list of selected devices. This giveaway has an application period. August 25 – October 6. Grants range from $15,000-$50,000 with a 25% matching commitment. Matchmakings may be available. Click here to know more about the details of the giveaway.

Dairy farm group technical assistance program
Service providers can submit proposals to form groups of dairy farmers to address technical assistance issues relevant to their region. Building on the success of eight current cohorts funded by NE-DBIC, service providers can submit proposals for projects up to $150,000. Topics may focus on grazing, pasture improvement, new farming practices, marketing and/or other areas that support farmers. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open with a deadline. September 16. Click here to learn more and view the RFP.

Financial support for dairy farming education
Funds are available for service providers and milk producer associations to host events, webinars, educational series or conferences to promote farmer-focused production and business viability education. Proposals will be accepted for projects up to $35,000. The RFP is now open with a deadline. September 16. Click here to view the RFP.

There will be more opportunities in the next few months. Sign up for the NE-DBIC newsletter to stay up-to-date!

Jobs Lands Enterprise Initiative Grants Open!

The first round of FY23 Working Lands Enterprise Initiative applications are now open! The application submission period is from August 12 to September 23. Click the link below for more information!

Producers Association Grants:
Vermont-based nonprofit producer association groups that represent and promote Vermont’s agricultural, food, beverage, forestry or fiber products. Awards range from $10,000-$20,000. Click here to review the Request for Applications.

Service Provider Support:
Service provider grant projects include providing direct and indirect services to grow Vermont-based land-based businesses through business assistance such as marketing plans, business and financial planning, and business transitions and successions. Awards range from $10,000-$20,000. To review the Request for Applications, click here:

Application deadline: September 23

$25 million available for agricultural conservation innovation grants.

The application period is now open for the Conservation Innovation Experiments program. This competitive grant program is offered through USDA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to support the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further resource conservation on private lands.

This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agricultural solutions, irrigation water management, nutrient management and soil health.

Applications are being accepted now through September 22nd. According to NRCS, “Private entities whose primary business is ag-related, non-governmental agencies with experience working with ag producers, and non-federal government agencies are eligible to apply.

Please see the program’s website for more information.

Application deadline: September 22

New farm succession planning resource

The UVM Extension Agribusiness Group is offering free assistance to any Vermont farm business that needs assistance with succession planning.

This service is designed to help farmers identify the urgency of their needs, get appropriate resources and information based on those needs, and provide feedback on planning to solve the problem.

To get started, you can fill out a short intake form and a member of the team will contact you.

All services provided through this entry form are free and open to any type of farm business located in Vermont.

Get the admission form here

Goat and small livestock breeding workshop

Join NOFA-VT and the Vermont Sheep and Goat Association at Ice House Farm for a Q&A session on their regenerative farming practices and livestock management and careful care.

Morgan and Chad Beckwith have been producing raw goat milk for kefir, yogurt and cheese since 2016. This workshop will give you the opportunity to learn about herd health, pasture management and milk production.

The workshop is $25 for NOFA-VT members, $35 for non-members and free for BIPOC. Held at Ice House Farm, 421 Hathaway Road, Goshen, VT 05733. Registration is required.

Workshop: August 27th from 1-3pm ET