Main content

News Archive

Best Management Practices (BMP) Program Applications Due on April 1st

The Best Management Practices (BMP) Program provides technical and financial assistance to farmers for the implementation of engineered, structural improvements on farmsteads which are designed to protect and improve water quality.

 

Applications to receive technical and/or financial assistance through the Agency’s Best Management Practices (BMP)…

More...

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative celebrates 11 years of investments and economic impacts

The Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) has invested $15.6 million in 446 farm, food, and forestry projects and leveraged an additional $24.6M in matching funds. To celebrate the investments and the resulting impacts, of the WLEI Board has released the latest Impact Report detailing the significant outcomes from the entire 11 years…

More...

Historic Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte conserved

In December 2023, Clemmons Family Farm, Inc., an African American-led nonprofit organization, celebrated its purchase of the historic Clemmons farm in Vermont after a successful fundraising campaign.

More...

85 Acres Conserved in Charlotte, VT

In the face of our urgent climate crisis, landowners across the Champlain Valley are stepping up and conserving critical shorelands, wetlands, and flood-absorbing forests that serve as natural defenses against increasingly severe rainstorms.

More...

Applications for $5,000 Vermont farmer award closing at the end of February

Farmers who are actively working on or managing a commercial farm operation in the state, are residents of Vermont, and have not received this award in the past may qualify for a $5,000 award for land stewardship, innovation, and service to community.

 

Applications accepted until February 29, 2024.

 

 

More...

Charlotte commits to conservation via conservation fund and land trust

Vermont is well known for its incredible natural resources. Communities throughout the Green Mountain State have chosen to conserve special lands like forests, river corridors and wetlands.

In Charlotte, the Charlotte Conservation Fund and Charlotte Land Trust have been instrumental in conserving our town’s natural resources.

 

 

 

More...

Vermont Barn Painting Project launches for 2024

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM), in partnership with the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund, is proud to announce the opening of the Vermont Barn Painting Project to new applicants for the 2024 painting season

 

More...

Vermont Agricultural Recovery Task Force releases final report

Following these devastating events, the Vermont Agricultural Recovery Task Force was established last August to coordinate recovery efforts for Vermont’s agriculture and food systems. The Task Force has now released the Extreme Weather Impact & Recovery report to highlight the impacts, provide details and data, an overview of the various recovery…

More...

Over $1.5 million invested in Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization

The Northeast Dairy Business & Innovation Center announces the selected recipients of the Dairy Farm Modernization & Improvement Grants.

More...

‘Dig Deep Vermont’ campaign launches today

In the wake of the catastrophic 2023 severe weather and floods that caused widespread damage along Vermont waterways, several business and government leaders are stepping up for farms fighting to remain solvent.

More...

Agency of Agriculture announces $200K grants for Vermont specialty crops

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces $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…

More...

$7.5 million grant funding announced for Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has announced $7,500,000 available through the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (Ag-CWIP) grant funding opportunity for local and regional partners to provide services for Vermont farms to support the improvement of water quality and climate change mitigation across the state.

More...

A Local Holiday Feast Is At Your Fingertips

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) and the Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) once again encourage those looking towards a traditional Thanksgiving dinner that Vermont’s local farms are ready to help.

More...

10 Vermont brands benefit from $12 million infusion for Northeast dairy processors

Dairy processors across the Northeast are receiving an important investment intended to build resiliency and spur industry growth in our region.

More...

Farm to Institution Market Development Grant Now Accepting Applications

The Farm to Institution Market Development Grant helps local food producers and processors sell more local food to local institutions. Awards range from $10,000 - $30,000. Applications are due by November 29th.

More...

CHT: Farmworker Housing program extended

Champlain Housing Trust announced today that the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) approved a new round of funding totaling $2.45 million for the organization’s Farmworker Housing programs, building upon the successful pilot project in partnership with the UVM Extension program initiated in 2022.

More...

Delegation hails USDA’s $7 million investment in Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) applauded the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) investment of more than $7 million in the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center.

More...

Find Feed in VT With the Farm Feed-Finder Marketplace

Knowing just how many farmers are facing feed challenges, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM), and the Vermont Agency of Digital Services (ADS) have created an online directory for those looking to buy and/or sell feed.

More...

Flood Recovery: What Farmers Should Do Now

The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has created next steps for farmers in the wake of devastating flooding. We hope you are now safe from the disaster as we turn to recovery.

More...

USDA Flood Recovery Informational Sessions July 18, 20, 24, 26

With the recent devastating flooding throughout Vermont, the USDA is inviting interested parties to attend an informational meeting regarding the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP).

More...

Flood Response & Recovery Resources

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Agriculture has compiled response & recovery information and resources in recognition of the ongoing State of Emergency.

More...

Recovery resources for Vermont’s agricultural communities, farms and families available

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has assembled important guidance and resources for the state’s agricultural members and communities to facilitate recovery.

More...

Scott requests secretarial disaster designation from USDA in response to severe flooding

Governor Phil Scott has requested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issue a disaster designation for the State of Vermont in response to severe July flooding

More...

Vermont enacts Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Bill (H.126)

Today Governor Scott allowed H.126, an act related to community resilience and biodiversity protection, to become law following strong votes in both the Vermont House and Senate.

More...

Report shows Vermont stands to benefit economically as NE states coordinate food systems

A new report puts forth a regional goal of producing and consuming 30% of New England’s food needs in the region by 2030.

More...

-A+A VAAFM: Apply For a Grazing Grant by June 15th

If you are a Vermont farm that rotationally grazes ruminant livestock, the VAAFM Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) program may be right for you.

More...

New England farmers have one week left to return the 2022 Census of Agriculture

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will end data collection for the 2022 Census of Agriculture on May 31.

More...

Invest in Farms, Food, & Infrastructure for a Healthy Vermont

Invest in Farms, Food, & Infrastructure for a Healthy Vermont

More...

Vermont Ag Hall of Fame reveals 2023 inductees

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame has announced the 2023 inductees.

More...

$12 million grant program invests in Northeast dairy processing

$12 million grant program invests in Northeast dairy processing

More...

CHT opens second round of funding for farmworker housing repair loan Program

CHT opens second round of funding for farmworker housing repair loan Program

More...

Conservation Stewardship Program open for applications, state funds available

Conservation Stewardship Program open for applications, state funds available

More...

NOFA-VT Farmer Resilience Grants

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets NOFA-VT has grant funds for projects that will improve long-term resilience on farms.

More...

$13 million investment in dairy processing to support Northeast dairy sector

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets If you paid fees to receive USDA organic certification between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has funding available to reimburse you.

More...

Register for a Vermont Farm Bureau Winter Workshop!

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets If you paid fees to receive USDA organic certification between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has funding available to reimburse you.

More...

NOFA-VT to hold 41st Annual Winter Conference Feb 18 & 19, 'Back to the Roots'

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets If you paid fees to receive USDA organic certification between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has funding available to reimburse you.

More...

Farmers a Force in 2022: Reflections on a Year Gone By

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets If you paid fees to receive USDA organic certification between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has funding available to reimburse you.

More...

Conservation partners help conserve nearly 7,400 acres of working forest

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets If you paid fees to receive USDA organic certification between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has funding available to reimburse you.

More...

$1 million Working Lands ARPA-funded Primary Producer grant opportunity now open

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets If you paid fees to receive USDA organic certification between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has funding available to reimburse you.

More...