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November 1, 2019 | Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is now accepting applications for the Vermont Produce Improvement Grant program. Produce Safety Improvement Grants (PSIG) can partially defray the costs of implementing on-farm food safety practices to help vegetable and fruit growers transition to compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and/or meet market demands for on-farm food safety.

One can learn a lot about a state's agricultural and historical traditions by eating its pie. The Food Network, In search of an iconic pie for each of the 50 states, recently name Montpelier's Wayside Restaurant's maple cream pie as the iconic pie for Vermont!

As many farmers think about adapting their practices for the changing climate, Upper Valley farmers will have an opportunity on November 6 to learn about current climate change concerns and adaptation practices, tour a farm that has implemented climate change adaptive and resiliency measures, build farmer and peer connections and receive support.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is now accepting applications for two grant opportunities designed to support farm to school activities at Vermont schools and early childcare organizations. The first, the Farm to School Child Nutrition Grant, is open to schools and licensed early childcare providers who are interested in establishing or expanding a farm to school program. Grantees will receive $15,000 in financial support as well as a suite of customized technical assistance and professional development from a team of farm to school experts. More information about this two-year grant, including how to apply, is available on the Agency of Agriculture’s website here. Applications are due by November 21st at noon.

The 4th Annual Producer, Buyer and Distributor Forum took place October 16 at Middlebury College's Kirk Alumni Hall and was a sold out event.

“My family benefited by being able to get fresh fruits and veggies without going broke”

Foodworks, the Groundworks-run community resource in Brattleboro, increased its storage capacity while transforming the shopping experience at their new Canal Street location where shoppers are invited to pick up the food they need for free.

Join Upper Valley farmers for the kickoff of the Upper Valley Farmer Climate Network on Monday, October 21, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Skinny Pancake in Quechee. The gathering will include refreshments, conversation, planning, and an overview from UVM Extension Climate Program Coordinator Joshua Faulkner. The event marks the start of a two-year, farmer-directed series of events to build a more resilient farmer network in the region.

Montpelier, VT | October 7, 2019 – The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces grants totaling $305,929 for eight projects to benefit Vermont fruit, vegetable, and value-added producers and increase consumer access to locally produced food. These grants, funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), were awarded to seven agricultural organizations to undertake a range of technology development, research, education, marketing, and program-building projects. The grants will leverage an additional $203,468 in matching funds.

Farmers and lawmakers from across the state gathered at nine farms on a recent Sunday afternoon for farm tours and dialogue about the needs, concerns, barrier, opportunities, and hopes farmer experience - and their visions for the future of agriculture in Vermont. A coalition of statewide and regional agriculture and food nonprofits organized these gatherings, where rich and meaningful conversations were shared, and where direct relationships were grown between farmers and the legislators who represent them in the State House.