The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces funding for Meat and Produce Agricultural Development Grants (Meat and Produce ADG).
Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (VAAFM)
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/26/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
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 objective of this funding is to strengthen the viability and resiliency of Vermont operations and businesses of all sizes, scales and structures performing production and processing activities for meat and/or produce. This includes businesses diversifying into these activities. Understanding that owners and operators have the best understanding of what their development needs are, project eligibility for this funding opportunity is intentionally broad.
VAAFM is implementing the Meat and Produce ADG by focusing investments on three priority areas: (1) Climate Resiliency, (2) Infrastructure, Operations and Capacity Growth, and (3) Worker and Food Safety and Product Quality. Eligible projects will implement these priorities through strategic upgrades, updates, and expansions in production and processing systems and infrastructure.
The Meat and Produce ADG funding opportunity is available to for profit businesses and operations performing activities in one or more of the following groups:
- Produce operations
- Produce operations that process their produce
- Meat producers
- Individuals and businesses offering meat slaughter and primary processing services.
- Operations and businesses diversifying into at least one of these activities.
Funding Information
The award minimum is $35,000 and the maximum is $300,000.
Project Period
Projects will begin upon grant agreement execution in April 2024 and run through April 2026 for a total of 24 months. Projects do not need to last the full 24 months to be competitive.
Eligible Applicants
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
- Processing produce that is grown by the same business
- Raising livestock and/or poultry for processing
- Performing slaughter and/or primary processing of livestock and/or poultry.
For more information, visit VAAFM.
