Passing on from the VT Agency of Agriculture- TB
Good Morning all,
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is accepting applications for the Produce Safety Improvement Grant program until Monday, December 9th, 2019 at 11:59 PM. The Request for Applications is posted on the grant program webpage at this link – agriculture.vermont.gov/ProduceSafetyGrants
Please share this opportunity with your contacts and feel free to copy the message below, thank you! We appreciate your help in spreading the word.
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Produce Safety Improvement Grant Program
Apply Now For Up to $7,000
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is now accepting applications for the Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grant program. Produce Safety Improvement Grants 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.
Awards will range from $2,000 to $7,000. PSIG funds can be used for any of the following, but are not limited to: harvest, wash, pack, and storage supplies; wash/pack area construction or renovation; monitoring/control devices; handwashing stations; cleaning/sanitization tools; health and hygiene signage; compost/manure handling improvements; and materials and systems to improve training and record-keeping.
Applicants must grow, harvest, pack, or hold “covered produce” as defined by the U.S. FSMA Produce Safety Rule and have average annual produce sales of greater than $27,528 over the past three years. The term covered produce includes any raw fruit or vegetable commonly consumed raw, as defined by the FDA. More information can be found in the FY2020 PSIG RFA, located at agriculture.vermont.gov/ProduceSafetyGrants.
How to Apply
· Mark your calendars! Grant applications will be accepted no later than Monday, December 9, 2019 at 11:59 pm.
· Download the FY2020 PSIG Request for Applications (RFA) here.
Please note: Farms that were previously awarded a Produce Safety Improvement Grant are ineligible to apply for a grant in this round.
Technical Assistance
We encourage applicants to contact the University of Vermont Extension Produce Safety Team for technical assistance while developing applications and during implementation of projects. Contact: producesafety.
Questions related to Produce Safety Improvement Grant program or the FSMA Produce Safety Rule should be directed to Gina Clithero at (802) 585-6225 or gina.clithero.
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Dominique Giroux
Produce Program Outreach & Education Coordinator
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State Street Montpelier, VT 05620
dominique.giroux | (802) 522-3132
agriculture.vermont.gov/produceprogram
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