UVM Extension Commercial Horticulture

Funding Opportunities for Vermont Vegetable and Fruit Growers

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by

Julie Callahan
in

Please reach out if you want to talk through grant ideas or get help with an application!  
Julie Callahan- help with any type of funding for your farm- Julie.callahan@uvm.edu
Rachel Stievater- help understanding and accessing NRCS programs- Rachel.Stievater@uvm.edu
Programs accepting applications in the next two months highlighted.
Last updated September 28, 2026

USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service

  • Provides technical and financial assistance to address resource concerns (e.g. water quality, soil erosion, soil health, wildlife and pollinator habitat). An NRCS planner will meet with you to discuss which conservation practices are a good fit for your farm (e.g. high tunnels, cover crops, mulching, IPM).
  • Applications accepted year-round. 2027 deadline was 9/25/26. Deadline for 2028 programs TBD.
  • Contact your local NRCS service center to apply.
  • https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets

Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP)

Farm Agronomic Practices Program

  • Implement soil-based practices that improve soil quality, increase crop production, and reduce erosion and agricultural waste discharges (i.e. cover crops for vegetable farm , rotational grazing for livestock)
  • $40-55/acre for cover crop ; $15/acre for no till planting
  • Deadlines: April 1 (spring and full season cover crops); August 1 (fall cover crops)
  • https://agriculture.vermont.gov/fap

FAP Agronomic Training Grant

  • Instructional activity grants to support Vermont farmers and service providers to attend events that further their knowledge of agricultural water quality.
  • Up to $2000 per individual per state fiscal year
  • Applications must be submitted at least 45 days before the event.
  • https://agriculture.vermont.gov/fap/training

Specialty Crop Block Grant

  • Projects must be focused on providing direct support to specialty crop businesses through technical assistance, training programs, or tool development
  • $15,000 to $35,000, 50% match required
  • Check back fall 2026.
  • https://agriculture.vermont.gov/grants/specialtycrop

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Business Enhancement Grant

State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development

Historic Preservation Barn Grants

Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation

Vermont Working Lands Advanced Wood Heating Initiative

  • Technical and financial assistance to install or upgrade advanced wood heating systems.
  • Up to $25,000 per project, provided on a reimbursement basis. This program is a 50% cost share; 1:1 match is required.
  • Please contact Molly Willard at Molly.Willard@vermont.gov or 802-261-1681 with questions or to start the pre-application process.
  • https://fpr.vermont.gov/FESGrantProgram

American Farmland Trust- Brighter Future Fund

Farm to Stay Grant

  • Project to create or expand farm stays and experiences as an additional income stream.
  • Awards up to $10,000.
  • Applications open in late November.
  • https://farmland.org/farm-to-stay

National Farm Viability Grant

  • Projects are funded to improve 1) improve farm viability, 2) access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland, or 3) adopt regenerative farming practices
  • Awards up to $10,000 per project.
  • Check back in 2027.
  • https://farmland.org/brighterfuture

Champlain Housing Trust

Vermont Farmworker Housing Repair Loan Program (FWH)

Farmworker Replacement Housing Loan Program (FWHR)

  • Replacement of existing farmworker housing statewide
  • Loan of up to $120,000 for the cost of building new housing. First $30,000 is forgivable.
  • Funding availability is limited. Michael Anthony manthony@getahome.org (802) 810-8217

The Fruit Guys Community Fund

National Young Farmers Coalition

  • Financial support and technical assistance to beginning farmers and farmers under 40 who are stewarding land through more sustainable farming practices (e.g soil health efforts, water quality improvements, biodiversity, supply chain resilience initiatives)
  • Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000.
  • Applications will open in October 2026, with recipients announced in early 2027.
  • https://youngfarmers.org/get-involved/next-generation-farmer-fund/

Northeast Organic Farming Association of VT (NOFA VT)

Funding to support environmental, financial and social resilience on Vermont farms.

Farmer Resilience Grants

Vermont Family Farmer of the Month Program

  • Support long term viability of farm’s contributing to a resilient agricultural landscape.
  • $12,000 award
  • Applications due mid-May (July through October Awards); Applications due mid-September (November through February Awards); Applications due mid-January for (March through June Awards)
  • https://www.nofavt.org/vermont-family-farmer-month

Farmer Emergency Fund

  • Supports organic and NOFA-VT member farmers affected by natural and unnatural disasters.
  • $2,500 grants (NOFA VT members); $5,000 grants (VOF certified farms)
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis
  • https://www.nofavt.org/farmer-emergency-fund

Pasa Sustainable Agriculture

Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP)

  • To help farms strengthen their businesses, expand markets, and implement conservation practices.
  • Program details are still evolving, and enrollment may take time and/or fill quickly. NOFA encourages those interested to apply or submit an interest form soon. Completing the interest form now can help you access support as it becomes available.
  • NOFA VT’s website provides more program details.
  • https://www.nofavt.org/about/blog/funding-support-farmers-expand-markets

Farmer Continuing Education Scholarships

Real Farmer Care

  • Self-care grants awarded directly to farmers.
  • Immediate Care Grant ($200), for a single, immediate self-care need — a first therapy session, an initial body treatment after injury, or a restorative wellness visit.
  • Sustained Care Grant ($1,000), for ongoing care across a farming season — a series of therapy sessions, multiple chiropractic or bodywork appointments, or sustained mental health support.
  • Applications open late fall 2026.
  • https://www.realfarmercare.org/resources

USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)

Farmer Grant Program

USDA Rural Development

Value Added Producer Grant

Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

VHCB Water Quality Grant

Vermont Land Trust

Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award

Wolfe’s Neck Center

Northeast Farmers Fund

  • To support adoption of regenerative agricultural practices by local producers in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.
  • Applications will be open October 1-October 14, 2026
  • This website has application questions posted, so you can prepare for this short application window.
  • https://www.wolfesneck.org/NEFF/

Other Resources

This resource was created with support from the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program- VAAFM Water Quality Division.