The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is pleased to announce funding for Maple Agricultural Development Grants (Maple ADG).
Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/21/2023
Size of the Grant: $15,000 – $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets recognizes that one of the greatest barriers for agriculture operations in the state is access to capital to invest in infrastructure. Maple Agricultural Development Grants (Maple ADG) will provide funding for projects that will develop, grow, and sustain Vermont maple operations. These grants will focus on three funding priorities: climate resilience, operational efficiency, and/or food safety and quality. Projects may impact any area of an operation and should include objectives that address viability, growth, or safety. These funds support maple producers and processors in implementing projects that improve their climate resilience, operational efficiency, and/or food safety and food quality practices.
Priorities
All applications must explain how their project directly impacts their business in at least one of the following ways:
- Climate Resilience
- Climate change, including shifting weather patterns, unpredictable seasons, and major natural events, has impacted the entire agricultural sector. Through Maple ADG funds, VAAFM will invest in projects that allow producers to remain productive and sustainable even in the changing nature of landscape.
- Projects can address climate resilience in several ways, and many projects may fit this focus. Applicants should consider how their project may help them mitigate the effects of climate change, remain productive and efficient during difficult seasonal patterns, or improve their maple operation’s energy use and greenhouse gas output.
- Examples of climate resilience projects include but are not limited to:
- Infrastructure improvements to combat extreme or unusual weather, such as new or improved roads.
- Switching to renewable or longer-lasting energy sources such as solar.
- Improving an operation’s power grid to be more efficient or sustainable.
- Upgrades to previous damage from natural disasters that result in infrastructure that is more resilient.
- Implementation of climate-informed sugarbush management.
- Expansion of taps into red maple sugarbush.
- Equipment improvement that leads to fewer greenhouse gas emissions, such as a reverse osmosis machine or a more efficient boiler.
- Storage and processing upgrades to ensure safety and quality of product during disruptions.
- Operational Efficiency
- The viability of an operation often depends on its ability to remain efficient with both time and funds. Many things can hurt efficiency, from labor shortages, to aging equipment, to damaged tubing, and more. Some efficiencies can also be found from adding new technologies to the operation. This funding priority focuses on lasting efficiency improvements.
- Projects may choose to address operational efficiency through improving infrastructure, upgrading equipment, reorganizing product flow, implementing technology solutions, and more.
- Examples of operational efficiency projects include but are not limited to:
- Improved maple processing equipment, such as reverse osmosis machines or upgraded boilers.
- Addition of refrigerated storage tanks to allow batch maple processing or storage.
- Upgraded tubing or vacuum systems for better sap flow.
- Installation of remote vacuum system monitoring software.
- Upgrades to buildings, roads, or other infrastructure to improve the flow of product, people, or vehicles.
- Improvements to distribution or storage infrastructure and equipment.
- Food Safety & Quality
- For maple products, safety and quality pose unique challenges not found in other agricultural sectors. Older equipment may introduce contaminants that are not safe for human consumption, while even new equipment may be difficult sanitize. Quality, or adherence to maple grading, can also be an ongoing barrier to customer retention or market access.
- Food safety and quality projects may choose to focus on equipment, supplies, or training. Outcomes should focus on producing maple products that meet food safety standards and/or quality guidelines. Projects related to Sugarhouse Certification through the Vermont Maple Sugar Maker’s Association are encouraged; please note VAAFM cannot duplicate funding for costs already covered another other grant.
- Examples of food safety & quality projects include but are not limited to:
- Replacing or upgrading equipment that contains lead or brass components.
- Expansion or renovation of sugarhouses to separate outside food and drink from processing areas.
- Construction of upgraded sugarhouses or boiling areas.
- Investment in potable water, electricity, or other resources to sugarhouses.
- Replacing tubing, storage totes, or other sap collection components that are not food safe due to age, material, or damage.
- Training of management or staff in maple syrup grading and quality.
- Investments in storage, packaging, and distribution that maintain the quality and safety of maple products.
Funding Information
Approximately $540,000 is available in funding. Grant size will be $15,000 – $100,000. Matching funds are not required.
Project Period
July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024
Eligible Projects
Projects must be related to maple production and processing. They should involve infrastructure, equipment, and/or training improvements. This includes, but is not limited to, projects focused on:
- Enhancing or implementing maple tapping techniques.
- Upgrading collection, processing, or packaging equipment.
- Improving storage, transportation, and distribution systems.
- Completing equipment, infrastructure, or technology upgrades.
- Implementing new sugarbush management practices.
- Improving food safety and/or maple quality.
- Replacing brass or lead equipment with food safe materials.
- Improving climate resiliency or sustainability.
- Contracting staff training or technical assistance.
- Enhancing the efficiency and quality of maple operations.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must own or operate a maple production or processing business that is active in the state of Vermont. This includes those who produce or sell maple syrup for wholesale, retail, or direct-to-consumer sales, or who produce value-added products.
Vermont-based maple processors and distributors are eligible.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Retail only operations, such as grocery stores.
- Technical service providers or researchers who do not produce or process their own maple product for sale. Both start-up maple businesses and agricultural businesses looking to diversify by adding maple endeavors are invited to apply.
For more information, visit Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets.
