Vermont Farm Fund Emergency Loan

Started in response to the devastation our Vermont farms suffered at the hands of Tropical Storm Irene, the VFF seeks to minimize the hurdles to secure a loan and receive funds to begin the recovery process. The maximum Emergency Loan amount is currently $15,000. This is a zero percent interest loan, payable over 36-48 months with a flexible payment schedule.

Examples of qualifying emergencies include loss of the below due to fire, flood, wind, drought and/or hail:

• Buildings

• Animals

• Equipment

• Greenhouses

• Hay fields

Loan applications will be accepted from farm and food-related businesses registered and located in Vermont that either produce or source ingredients for their value added food processing from local farms/producers (Vermont plus 30 miles).

We accept applications on a rolling basis and award loans as funds are available. After receiving a completed application (with all requested attachments), we strive for a 2-3 week turn-around time for application review and approval.

We accept applications on a rolling basis and award loans as funds are available. After receiving a completed application (with all requested attachments), we strive for a 2-3 week turn-around time for application review and approval. We want to keep our application process as simple as possible, but the information we do request is crucial for us to make a responsible decision.

Our Advisory Board reviews your application once we have received all of the requested pieces of information. During the loan review process, it isn’t unusual for us to need additional information about your business and/or your needs in order to make a responsible final determination. One of our board members may visit your farm or business to get a better understanding of your operation. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have questions about the application.

When you apply for a loan from the Vermont Farm Fund, you are becoming a part of a supportive, financial-agricultural community. The funds from the VFF that will help you with your emergency or business building project, have most likely helped another farmer or food producer in the past.

And, your payments will be “paid forward” to help the next agricultural producer with an urgent need or creative idea. As part of the community, we hope you’ll agree to tell your story and help us get the word out regarding this unique and valuable program.

Applications are reviewed and responded to on a rolling basis. Once we’ve received a completed application (with all requested attachments), we strive for a 2-3 week turn-around time for application review and approval. Applications are reviewed by a team of people on our Advisory Board from a variety of agricultural backgrounds.

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Emergency Loans

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• How to Apply