Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM)

1. Review the FAP program information and practice requirements.
2. Applications which include Rotational Grazing must include a Grazing Plan and Grazing Map/s. ​​​​​​If the applicant has a full Grazing Plan developed with NRCS or a Grazing Specialist, submit that. Otherwise, use the VAAFM Grazing Plan Template, which can either be filled in on your computer or printed and filled in by hand. A grazing plan must include:
    a. Grazing Description and Overview,
    b. Total Number of Acres Grazed
    c. Animal Numbers and Forage Requirements and
    d. Recovery and Rest Period Calculations/Considerations
    e. Maps that clearly indicate the field boundaries of the acreage/pastures described in the Grazing Plan
3. Online application through this portal is strongly preferred. However, you can also print or download the application and submit with all other required documentation to AGR.WaterQuality@Vermont.gov or to FAP Program, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620

The Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) Program utilizes state funding to help Vermont farms implement soil-based agronomic practices that improve soil quality, increase crop production, and reduce erosion and agricultural waste discharges. The FAP program also provides education and instructional activity grants to support outreach regarding the impacts of agricultural practices on water quality and current state agricultural water quality&#x2004;regulations. [Click here ](http://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=076347ee7eb44b28a869458eec1cb8c8)to learn more about the Farm Agronomic Practices program and its benefits to Vermont farmers.

Grants are limited to $10,000 per farm operation per State fiscal year [July 1 to June 30]. Funding rates may change based on program demand and available funding.


Applications are open year round but funding cutoff deadlines vary by practice type and project timeline:

**Rotational Grazing applications are due June 15th**

**Fall field practices applications are due August 1st**

**Spring field practices applications are due April 1st**



The Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) Program utilizes state funding to help Vermont farms implement soil-based agronomic practices that improve soil quality, increase crop production, and reduce erosion and agricultural waste discharges. The FAP program also provides education and instructional activity grants to support outreach regarding the impacts of agricultural practices on water quality and current state agricultural water quality regulations. Click here to learn more about the Farm Agronomic Practices program and its benefits to Vermont farmers.
Grants are limited to $10,000 per farm operation per State fiscal year [July 1 to June 30]. Funding rates may change based on program demand and available funding.

Applications are open year round but funding cutoff deadlines vary by practice type and project timeline:
Rotational Grazing applications are due June 15th
Fall field practices applications are due August 1st
Spring field practices applications are due April 1st

- Vermont farms required to comply with the Required Agricultural Practices are eligible to apply for practice assistance. 
- Organizations and businesses providing educational events for Vermont farms are eligible to apply for educational or instructional activity assistance.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

- Fact Sheet
- Program Information and Practice Requirements

Reduced Tillage

Conservation

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Waste & Compost

Nutrient Management

Water Management

All applications are received on a rolling basis. 
The PSWF Application requires the following information:
- Farm Contact Information
- # of acres
- # of livestock and livestock type
- Practices proposed or interested in learning more about
- If applicable, partners or other organizations you are working with on the project
Prior to applying, please read the important information below:
- Submitting an application does not ensure an award.
- Grant agreements must be in place prior to the start of construction.
- Farmer is responsible for financing the project during construction and will only receive reimbursement upon certified project completion.
- Final cost share payment is determined by actual project costs as documented by itemized invoices.
- Farmer’s equipment and labor costs are eligible for reimbursement.

Mary Montour

Agricultural Water Quality Program Coordinator

The Pasture and Surface Water Fencing (PSWF) Program provides pasture management technical assistance and financial assistance to Vermont farmers to improve water quality and on-farm livestock exclusion from surface waters statewide.


### **Eligible Practices**

- Fence 

- Livestock Pipeline

- Water Source Development 

- Watering Facility 

- Improved Permanent Water Area 

- Stream Crossing 

- Electric Fence Chargers 

- Trails & Walkways





The Pasture and Surface Water Fencing (PSWF) Program provides pasture management technical assistance and financial assistance to Vermont farmers to improve water quality and on-farm livestock exclusion from surface waters statewide.

Eligible Practices
- Fence 
- Livestock Pipeline
- Water Source Development 
- Watering Facility 
- Improved Permanent Water Area 
- Stream Crossing 
- Electric Fence Chargers 
- Trails & Walkways



- Be a Vermont farm as defined in the Required Agricultural Practices
- Manage pastureland where water quality will benefit from implementation of improved pasture management and eligible and/or necessary conservation practices
- Have ownership or land control for the lifespan of the practice (10 years)
- Have an insurance policy that allows for the State and its employees and officers to be listed as additional insured

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Livestock

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

Irrigation

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

Agritourism

Infrastructure

Disaster Relief

Emergency

- The Pasture and Surface Water Fencing (PSWF) Program provides no-cost pasture management technical assistance from experienced grazing specialists
- PSWF also provides financial assistance that reimburses 90% of the cost to install infrastructure that will improve pasture management, up to the farm’s grant amount.
    - Maximum grant amount when the project has livestock exclusion from surface waters is $15,000 per farm.
    - Maximum grant amount when there is no livestock exclusion from surface waters, but where rotational grazing will be implemented or improved is $10,000 per farm. Rotational grazing requires at minimum moving livestock at least twice per week.

FY2024 Grant Applications are open now. Applications must be received by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets by November 11, 2023.
(NEW! This deadline was extended to November 11 to give you more time to apply).
Please ensure that your grant application includes the following REQUIRED components:
- Complete CEAP Application
- Complete Questionnaire 
- 1-2 reputable quote/s for the requested equipment. Note that shipping or freight costs may be listed on your quote but are not eligible for financial assistance.
- Letter(s) of Support are optional and, if submitted, should be unbiased and add pertinent information about your application and its relevance to program goals.

Before you start your online application, be prepared to upload 1-2 quotes and a complete questionnaire.
Paper/PDF applications may be submitted by email to AGR.WaterQuality@vermont.gov or mailed to VAAFM CEAP Program, 116 State St Montpelier VT 05620. Please include ALL application components in the same email/envelope.

Questions about applying?
- Please review the Frequently Asked Questions before reaching out with additional questions via email to AGR.WaterQuality@Vermont.gov
- All grant applicants should review and be prepared to agree to the State of Vermont Attachment C: Standard Provisions for Contracts and Grants.
- Eligibility requirements include that farms are in good standing with the State of Vermont. Good standing for Water Quality Technical and Financial Assistance is defined in 6 V.S.A. § 4802
- Assistance is available for the application process. Please contact your local conservation district or reach out to 802-522-4655 if you are in need of assistance.

Resources for CEAP Grant Recipients:
CEAP grant agreements have an agreement length of 5 years, during which period you are expected to maintain and continue using the equipment as described in your initial application. AAFM program staff will visit your farm 1-2 times during this period to check on your equipment.
CEAP recipients are further required to report equipment usage for the first three (3) years of the grant.
This reporting requirement exists so we can document the phosphorus reductions farmers are achieving with the purchased equipment and to demonstrate how CEAP is working to get conservation on the ground. In addition, CEAP is a competitive grant program and a major aspect of the ranking and review of your applications is the scale of conservation that you committed to your application. Since recipients were selected to receive funds in part of based on the expected conservation value of your equipment being used on the acres you committed to, the program requires recipients to meet those commitments for each year of reporting. 
Annual Usage Reports cover a Calendar Year and must be submitted annually by January 15th to the Contact listed below, accompanied by all relevant corresponding maps. If an explanation or justification is needed, please submit that in written form alongside your report and maps.

Financial assistance is available for new or used innovative equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters, improve water quality of state waters, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, mitigate greenhouse gases, and reduce costs to farmers when they apply manure.



- Vermont Farms required to comply with the Required Agricultural Practices
- Custom Operators
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Phosphorus Extraction Equipment Providers
Eligible Equipment Categories:
- Precision Agriculture – to accurately and digitally observe, monitor and respond to field variability and improve nutrient management planning.
- Conservation Tillage – to reduce the frequency or intensity of tillage operations.
- Cover Crop Equipment – to increase or improve cover cropping implementation.
- Waste Management – to improve waste and nutrient management, nutrient application efficiency and methods.
- Feed Management – to reduce impacts from silage leachate and reduce feed imports.
Eligible equipment and corresponding funding caps or cost share rates can change based on funding availability and other factors, please refer to the most current Program Details for more information on eligible equipment.

Ineligible Equipment: The following types of equipment are not eligible* to receive CEAP funds:
- Frac Tanks, Manure Tankers or Manure Pumps
- Solid Manure Spreaders or Broadcast Manure Spreaders
- Tractors
- Equipment that performs full width tillage, deep tillage, or soil inversion
*Exceptions may be considered for nonprofit organizations performing agricultural research, with compelling justification.

- CEAP Annual Usage Report (Printable)
- CEAP Annual Usage Report (Excel)
- CEAP & FAP Combined Report (Printable)
- CEAP & FAP Combined Report (Excel)

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Waste & Manure Management

1. Apply for EQIP-Assist when the farmer has ranked out for an EQIP Contract.
2. Apply for Technical Assistance as soon as a water quality concern is identified or a need for permitting or variance assistance arises.
3. Apply to the Farmstead Best Management Practices (BMP) Program annually by April 1st for design services and funding of conservation practice.
All applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications for the Farmstead BMP Program received after April 1st will be rolled into the next year's applicant pool.
Prior to applying please read the important information below:
- BMP projects are only eligible for State cost share dollars if the they meet the design standards and specifications established by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or are designed and certified by a professional engineer licensed in the State of Vermont and are equivalent to the federal performance standards and specifications.
- Applying does not ensure an award.
- Grant agreements must be in place prior to the start of construction.
- Farmer is responsible for financing the project during construction and receives reimbursement upon certified project completion.
- Final cost share payment is determined by actual project costs as documented by itemized invoices.
- Farmer’s equipment and labor costs are eligible for reimbursement.

Apply Now

Dillan Westcom

Amer Suvalic

Rachel Seigel

Jason Bradley

Andrew Mitchell

Matt Gardner

Rob Achilles

Engineering Section Chief

The Agricultural Engineering Section assist farmers&#x2004;with on-farm improvements designed to abate non-point source agricultural waste discharges into the waters of the state of Vermont. It is our mission to assist Vermont farmers to achieve and maintain regulatory compliance in a way that is viable for the operation of the farm and of benefit to water quality by providing technical assistance, project management and financial assistance. The section administers three programs to assist farmers:

1. The EQIP-Assist Program is an opportunity for farmers with NRCS EQIP contracts to receive additional cost share on the practices installed as part of the EQIP contract.

2. The Technical Assistance Program is available to provide water quality compliance consultations, state permitting assistance or variance assistance.

3. The Farmstead Best Management Practices (BMP) Program provides engineering services on a priority basis for the design of BMPs at no cost to the farmer and can cost share on the construction of eligible practices.



The Agricultural Engineering Section assist farmers with on-farm improvements designed to abate non-point source agricultural waste discharges into the waters of the state of Vermont. It is our mission to assist Vermont farmers to achieve and maintain regulatory compliance in a way that is viable for the operation of the farm and of benefit to water quality by providing technical assistance, project management and financial assistance. The section administers three programs to assist farmers:
1. The EQIP-Assist Program is an opportunity for farmers with NRCS EQIP contracts to receive additional cost share on the practices installed as part of the EQIP contract.
2. The Technical Assistance Program is available to provide water quality compliance consultations, state permitting assistance or variance assistance.
3. The Farmstead Best Management Practices (BMP) Program provides engineering services on a priority basis for the design of BMPs at no cost to the farmer and can cost share on the construction of eligible practices.

The Agricultural Engineering Section provides Technical and Financial Assistance (TA & FA) pursuant to 6 V.S.A. §§ 4820 -4826. Farms required to comply with the Required Agricultural Practices are eligible to apply. Applications are evaluated according to the funding priorities established in statute and receive priority based on a priority ranking and risk assessment. Funding is available according to the cost share policy.
Examples of conservation practices eligible for cost share through the Farmstead BMP Program
- Manure storage
- Composting stack pad
- Barnyard runoff collection
- Gutter / ditch clean water diversion
- Laneway development & stream crossings
- Exclusion fencing & watering facilities
- Milk house waste collection & treatment
- Silage leachate collection

- Program Factsheet
- BMP Construction Log Booklet
- NRCS VAAFM Release Form
- BMP Planning Checklist
- BMP Pre-Construction Form

Applications for this program must be submitted through the WebGrants grants management system. 

REGISTRATION
If you're new to WebGrants, submit the WebGrants Registration Form. It usually takes about two business days to process registrations. Make sure to register for an account well before the application deadline. 

https://agriculturegrants.vermont.gov/register.do

SUBMISSION POLICY 
Applicants must follow all instructions in this request for applications (RFA), including the dates and times for submitting applications. The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets will only consider the last complete submission through WebGrants before the deadline as the official application. We cannot accept incomplete or late applications after the deadline (February 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM) barring exceptional circumstances. The WebGrants system will not accept applications after the deadline. 

SUBMISSION CONFIRMATION 
After you've submitted your application successfully, you'll be taken to a page confirming your submission. This page will have an Application ID number. You'll also get an email confirming your submission.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces funding for Meat and Produce Agricultural Development Grants (Meat and Produce ADG). This opportunity is part of a onetime appropriation, in part developed by the Governor’s Commission on the Future of Agriculture, focused on high need agricultural sectors. 


This program supports produce and meat producers and processors in implementing projects that improve their climate resilience, operational efficiency and capacity growth, and/or worker and food safety and product quality. 



The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces funding for Meat and Produce Agricultural Development Grants (Meat and Produce ADG). This opportunity is part of a onetime appropriation, in part developed by the Governor’s Commission on the Future of Agriculture, focused on high need agricultural sectors. 

This program supports produce and meat producers and processors in implementing projects that improve their climate resilience, operational efficiency and capacity growth, and/or worker and food safety and product quality. 

Eligible businesses and operations must be registered and operate within the state of Vermont. Only for-profit business structures are eligible. Applicants must be compliant with all state regulations (including but not limited to water quality, taxes, and child support) and be in good standing with the State of Vermont at the time of applying, remaining so throughout the entire grant period. 

Eligible operations/businesses must perform, or be diversifying into at least one of these four activities: 
• Growing and selling produce (see definition on pg. 24) 
• Processing produce that is grown by the same business 
• Raising livestock and/or poultry for processing 5 
• Performing slaughter and/or primary processing of livestock and/or poultry meeting the criteria below 

Applicants performing animal processing must source at least 50% of livestock/poultry from Vermont OR be applying with a project to significantly increase their capacity to source from Vermont. 

As long as they are registered with the state, eligible businesses of any age may apply but must demonstrate business viability and operational experience commensurate with the scope of their project and funding request. 

Meat

https://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/agriculture/files/documents/ADG%20Meat%20and%20Produce%20RFA%20.pdf

https://agriculturegrants.vermont.gov/register.do

Follow these steps to apply:
1. Review the full 2023 Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant RFA (request for applications) for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Complete your application in WebGrants using VAAFM's Application Guide. Deadline to apply: June 8 at 2:00 PM ET.


Ali Boochever

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Marketing and Branding Services Grant Program, which will provide grants for established value-added dairy processors and producer associations to access professional marketing and branding services to elevate value-added&#x2004;dairy businesses. Projects funded by this grant will increase the exposure and promotion of regionally produced dairy products guided by marketing/branding professionals. Funded projects will increase consumer awareness of products, develop market channels and distribution opportunities to increase product placement, support innovative strategies to increase consumption, and/or increase business revenues.

Additionally, up to 25% of the grant funds may be used to implement the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor.

Awards will range from $10,000 - $50,000 with a match requirement of 25%. 



The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Marketing and Branding Services Grant Program, which will provide grants for established value-added dairy processors and producer associations to access professional marketing and branding services to elevate value-added dairy businesses. Projects funded by this grant will increase the exposure and promotion of regionally produced dairy products guided by marketing/branding professionals. Funded projects will increase consumer awareness of products, develop market channels and distribution opportunities to increase product placement, support innovative strategies to increase consumption, and/or increase business revenues.
Additionally, up to 25% of the grant funds may be used to implement the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor.
Awards will range from $10,000 - $50,000 with a match requirement of 25%. 

This application is open to applicants from all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Applicants must be one of the following:
1. Dairy processors that transform raw milk sourced from the Northeast region into an edible product and are: 
    - licensed dairy processor in compliance with all required state and/or federal standards, as required for the sales outlets reached during the timeframe of this project; and
    - headquartered or based in the Northeast; and
    - if a value-added processor, products are manufactured within the Northeast.
1. Dairy producer association/dairy council which represents and promotes dairy products and dairy businesses of the Northeast.

Dairy

Butter

Cheese

Milk

Yogurt

Cow Milk

Goat Milk

- 2023 Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant RFA
- Application Guide

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Farmers Market

Trade Relief

Certified Organic

Food Systems

Marketing

Awards will range from $10,000 - $50,000 with a match requirement of 25%. 

- Review the full Request for Applications (RFA). 
- Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
- Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide, when the application opens. Application period: February 22 - April 7, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET

Ben Eldredge

Grants Coordinator

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Multi-Business Dairy Agritourism Grant Program, which will serve to elevate dairy businesses through agritourism across the Northeast region of the US. Projects funded through this program should&#x2004;benefit multiple dairy businesses by promoting the access and sale of regionally produced milk and related products. Grants are available to applicants in all New England states, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Activities should be designed to raise awareness and consumption of regionally produced dairy products and must incorporate all the following criteria: 


- A minimum of 3 dairy farmers or processors are actively engaged in the project's agritourism activities.

- A majority of the partner businesses/organizations are dairy businesses or producer associations. However, non-dairy businesses may also partner in the project if it can be demonstrated that their participation will enhance the visibility, awareness, access, and consumption of dairy.

- The project enhances the visibility of Northeast dairy farms and/or value-added dairy products, incorporating an educational aspect to their agritourism activities.

- The project promotes the awareness, access, and consumption of Northeast-regionally produced milk and/or Northeast-regionally produced value-added products made from regionally produced milk.


**Awards range from $10,000 - $25,000 with a 25% cash and/or in-kind match commitment. Total funds available: $175,000**



The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Multi-Business Dairy Agritourism Grant Program, which will serve to elevate dairy businesses through agritourism across the Northeast region of the US. Projects funded through this program should benefit multiple dairy businesses by promoting the access and sale of regionally produced milk and related products. Grants are available to applicants in all New England states, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Activities should be designed to raise awareness and consumption of regionally produced dairy products and must incorporate all the following criteria: 

- A minimum of 3 dairy farmers or processors are actively engaged in the project's agritourism activities.
- A majority of the partner businesses/organizations are dairy businesses or producer associations. However, non-dairy businesses may also partner in the project if it can be demonstrated that their participation will enhance the visibility, awareness, access, and consumption of dairy.
- The project enhances the visibility of Northeast dairy farms and/or value-added dairy products, incorporating an educational aspect to their agritourism activities.
- The project promotes the awareness, access, and consumption of Northeast-regionally produced milk and/or Northeast-regionally produced value-added products made from regionally produced milk.

Awards range from $10,000 - $25,000 with a 25% cash and/or in-kind match commitment. Total funds available: $175,000

Applicants eligible for these funds must fall into at least one of the following categories:
- Dairy farmer (producer) of milk that is headquartered or based in the Northeast, sources or produces milk within the Northeast and is a licensed dairy operation in compliance with all required state and/federal standards.
- Dairy processors that transform raw milk into an edible product, are headquartered or based in the Northeast, sources or produces milk within the Northeast and is a licensed dairy processor in compliance with all required state and/federal standards.
- Dairy producer association/dairy council which represents and promotes dairy products/dairy businesses of the Northeast.

- The full Request for Applications (RFA)
- WebGrants Application Guide

Awards range from $10,000 - $25,000 with a 25% cash and/or in-kind match commitment. Total funds available: $175,000
- A match can come in many forms and is a way for you to demonstrate your investment to the project. While it can certainly come from contributing cash from your business or investors, it could also come in the form of volunteer services, donations, etc. See the Matching Funds section of the RFA to learn more and see how to fully capture this in your budget. 

List of Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) Funding Opportunities