The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets has administered the Agricultural Fairs & Field Days Capital Projects Competitive Grants program and the stipend fund for over ten years.
Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (VAAFM)
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/15/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Competitive Capital Grants are available to assist nonprofit organizations and municipalities to improve community facilities providing cultural activities to the public. Fairs and events offer opportunities for the agricultural community to highlight the practices, products, skills, and livelihood that are part of maintaining Vermont’s working landscape. Annual stipends are available to support operating costs, plant improvements, and premiums for agricultural fairs or field days events.
Funding Information
- A total of $410,000; $300,000 available for Capital Grants and $110,000 for stipends.
- Up to $35,000 to be distributed per applicant for Capital Grants. Stipends are distributed according to the Stipend Distribution Fund Formula as provided in state statute.
Grant Period
Project must be completed in 24 months.
Capital Grants Eligibility
Grants shall be competitively awarded to capital projects that relate to Vermont agricultural fairs and field days operating a minimum of three consecutive, eight-hour days per year.
Eligible Projects:
- A project for which a grant is awarded shall have a minimum useful life of 20 years and shall be completed within two years of the execution of a contract to perform work authorized by the grant.
- A grant recipient shall contribute cash match in an amount equal to 15 percent or more of the value of the grant.
- A grant recipient is required to show all quotes as proof of project costs.
Stipend Eligibility
Funds shall be distributed annually to Vermont Agricultural Fairs Associations as defined in H.472 to support operating costs, plant improvements, and premiums for agricultural fairs or field days events held at least annually at which premiums are offered for competitive exhibits in at least five competitive categories. New applicants must operate their fair or field day for a minimum of three consecutive days, with a minimum of eight hours operating per day. Each stipend application shall be accompanied by both narrative and financial data and indicate the nature of the award 4 sought for the fund, broken down by plant improvement and general operation, with premiums identified as a separate part of general operations.
Ineligible Projects
- Proposals from applicants that do not meet the definition of an eligible fair as outlined by the Vermont statute.
- Proposals from applicants who are out of compliance with any federal, state, or local laws or regulations.
- Proposals for projects which will not have a useful 20-year lifespan.
- Proposals for projects that have already been completed for which the applicant seeks reimbursement.
- Proposals from applicants failing to meet requirements for previous Agency grants and/or assistance programs, or from individuals or groups unable to perform or having performance issues with previous Agency grant obligations.
For more information, visit VAAFM.
