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Vermont Farm and Food Business COVID-19 Survey

The University of Vermont, along with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, is conducting a research survey of farm and food businesses to better understand their experiences with COVID-19 and future resource and technical assistance needs.  The survey is approximately 20 minutes in length, confidential, and can help inform future funding priorities with COVID-19 relief and other funding sources. 

Participants will be eligible for a drawing for one of 40, $99 cash incentives. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. 
 
Questions about the survey can be directed to Meredith Niles at mtniles@uvm.edu.

Take the Survey Here!
Application Open: Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance 

Governor Phil Scott and the VAAFM announced $8.5 million in relief funding has been made available for farmers, sugar makers, meat and poultry processors, slaughterhouses, farmers markets, agricultural food products businesses, forest products businesses, and producer associations to cover losses and expenses caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

Webinars for potential applicants: 

  • Monday, Aug. 24 from 1 - 2pm
  • Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 10 - 11am

Webinar recordings will be made available on the website for later viewing. 

Funds will be awarded on a first come, first-served basis.  See above link to learn more and apply. 

Become a Better “Agvocate” with One-Hour Farmer Webinars

You're invited to join New England Dairy’s upcoming series of one-hour interactive farmer webinars. You'll learn tips to help you when you're talking about dairy with reporters, your neighbors, or engaging on social media. The three webinars are from 11 a.m. to noon on: 

  • Sept 1 - Dairy Nutrition 101
  • Sept 8 - Talking with Reporters
  • Sept. 15 - Level Up Your Social Media Presence

You'll hear tips directly from farmers, dietitians and communications professionals. You’ll leave each training with easy steps you can take to be more persuasive and effective when you communicate. 

Sign up at the link above. 

Partnership to Grow Diversity in Agriculture Industry and Government 

The National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS), National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the NASDA Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding, embarking on a five-year partnership to grow diversity in agricultural government affairs and agriculture industry leadership.

The MOU details plans to increase minority college students’ exposure to employment, educational and business opportunities through state departments of agriculture. The partnership will build on the MANRRS-NASDA Foundation Agriculture Policy Summit which was piloted with 10 MANRRS students at the 2020 NASDA Winter Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. last February. In addition, MANRRS will advise NASDA staff and members on how to seek and advance diversity in agriculture.  Read the full MOU at the link above. 
Dairy Assistance Application Tip Sessions

The Dairy Assistance Application has been open over a month now and we would like to invite all interested dairy producer and processor applicants to join us for a series of Application Tips sessions. Two session are scheduled for dairy processors and two for dairy producers. Each session will include discussion of commonly seen application errors and tips for successful application submission. These sessions are designed to be an exchange of information and opportunity for applicants to ask specific questions on areas of confusion.

Dairy Processor Sessions:
  • Monday, August 31, 3 - 4pm
  • Tuesday, Sept. 1, 12 - 1pm
Dairy Producer Sessions:
  • Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2 - 3pm
  • Thursday, Sept. 3, 12 - 1pm

Economic Recovery Grants Maximum Increased


Governor Phil Scott, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and the Department of Taxes announced an increase to the maximum grant award for Economic Recovery Grants for Vermont businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The increase in the maximum grant award is available to businesses in the lodging, retail, hospitality, arts, travel and event affiliated sectors that have continued capacity constraints. 
 
Previously, businesses could receive up to $50,000 in grant funds. Now, businesses in eligible industries can receive up to an additional $100,000 in grant funding, for a total of $150,000 from the program. The increased maximum award is available both to new applicants to the program and to those businesses that have already received a $50,000 grant. 
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620

Our website address is:
https://agriculture.vermont.gov

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