Uncategorized – Page 7 – UVM Fruit Blog

Don’t Miss the Environmental Quality Incentive Program Deadline!

From: Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Sent: Sunday, October 9, 2022 5:30 PM
To: Terence Bradshaw
Subject: Don’t Miss the Environmental Quality Incentive Program Deadline!

Don’t Miss the Environmental Quality Incentive Program Deadline!

New waste storage infrastructure can be costly, but is one of the most effective ways for farms to decrease nutrient runoff and is often a necessary investment to keep up with state water quality regulations.

The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) can help farms invest in manure management projects, in addition to less engineering-heavy projects like rotational grazing infrastructure and in-field conservation practices.

Farms are eligible for up to $450,000 in federal assistance under EQIP every Farm Bill (every 5 years).

If farms think ahead and break up their most costly projects across multiple Farm Bills, they can maximize the federal and state assistance they are eligible for. The 2018 Farm Bill is coming to a close in the upcoming Fiscal Year.

Contact your local NRCS now to see how close you are to your EQIP cap under the 2018 Farm Bill and to apply for this final year of funding before your cap resets next year! The deadline is November 18th.

Click Here for More EQIP Info

Vermont Day Breaks Big E Attendance Record

Exceptional Year for Vermont Vendors and Visitors at the Big E!

It was a fantastic year in the Vermont Building at the region’s biggest fair, The Big E. Preliminary sales for 2022 totaled $1.7 million over the 17-day event.

The Vermont Building again hosted many great vendors from the Green Mountain State. One such vendor was Nomadic Kitchen, whose S’mores Macaron was recommended by MassLive as the #1 new food to try at The Big E in 2022!

Additionally, the all-time Big E single day attendance record was hit on Vermont Day (September 24th). With Governor Scott in attendance, 177,789 people attended the Big E.

Logan George, the Maintenance and Services staff member for the Vermont Building, received The Big E "Host of the Day" award on September 28th. The award recognizes one individual of The Big E each day during the fair who goes "above and beyond" to make the fair a positive experience for everyone involved.

A huge thanks to the vendors, building staff, and visitors who make the Vermont Building such an incredible place at the fair!

Learn more about the Vermont Building

Short Term Forgivable Loans for Priority Sectors

The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has funding available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support businesses that continue to experience economic harm from COVID-19.

In accordance with state guidelines the program will only accept applications from businesses in travel & tourism, restaurants and eating establishments, lodging, childcare, agriculture, or any BIPOC-owned business until October 15th.

After October 15th, VEDA will reassess the need to continue limiting applications to these priority sectors. Please check back for updates.

Businesses must have fewer than 500 employees, have been in operation as of March 13th, 2020, demonstrate economic harm from COVID-19, and plan to use the forgivable loans for operating expenses.

You can download the application package here, which includes a tool to calculate your eligibility and the size of your potential loan. Applicants are highly encouraged to seek technical assistance to determine their eligibility.

Priority Funding Deadline: Oct. 15th

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Mailing List

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has a new mailing list! The Initiative supports innovative entrepreneurs at the forefront of Vermont’s Working Lands economy through technical and financial assistance to help growing businesses thrive.

The Working Lands Fund supports grants and contracts that have ranged from $5,000-$250,000. If you are interested in Working Lands grant opportunities, events, and business support, please sign up for their new mailing list.

Learn more about Working Lands

Calving: What’s Normal, What’s Not Normal, and When to Intervene

Managing Cows During Calving Webinar

Join University of Vermont Extension for an online webinar as part of their Dairy Herd Health Workshop series hosted by Dr. Dayna Locitzer, large animal vet at the Green Mountain Bovine Clinic.

The upcoming webinar will attempt to give farmers a better understanding of how to manage their cows during calving, including appropriate care for each of the three calving stages, and how/when to intervene.

Webinar: Oct. 20th from 12-1:00pm ET

Organic Certification Cost Share Program

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar

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

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PPE Survey

July 8th, 2020

From: Covid-19 On Behalf Of Jake Claro
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 9:32 AM
To: COVID-19@vtfoodatlas.com
Subject: [Covid-19] PPE Survey

Hi all,

Hope everyone is well. Please share the link below regarding a survey to help inform ongoing efforts to assist Vermont employers in securing the masks/face coverings and other PPE they want and need. The survey is the effort of Vermont’s Regional Development Corporations, Associated Industries of Vermont, the Lake Champlain Chamber, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, the Vermont Vehicle & Automotive Distributors Association, and other business organizations:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VERMONTFACECOVERINGSURVEY

Input Needed for a New Vision of Farming and Food in Vermont

June 19, 2020

Please consider taking this survey to provide input on future policy direction for Vermont farm and food programs. I have worked with Vermont Farm to Plate quite a bit over the years, and their efforts directly affect the programs available to farmers.

From: Paul Costello
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2020 2:34 PM
To: Terence Bradshaw
Subject: Input Needed for a New Vision of Farming and Food in Vermont

Help Shape Farm and Food Development in Vermont Take the survey for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate Here’s a message from the VT Sustainable Jobs Fund and Farm to Plate Network:

Hello Terence,

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and Farm to Plate Network are in the process of updating the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan – Vermont’s legislatively enabled statewide food system plan. Your voice matters – we need your input to develop a new vision for farming and food, and prioritize how we support and develop food and agriculture in the next decade! By answering the survey questions you’ll be adding your voice to the plan and helping to shape the next 10 years of farm and food development in Vermont. Your voice is valuable. Share your input on the future of farming and food in Vermont at https://cutt.ly/F2P-Public-Input. Answering the questions will take about 15-20 minutes. Completed surveys will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to a farmer’s market of the winner’s choice. We also encourage food and farming organizations in Vermont to share this survey and opportunity with their members to help get the word out to capture as many voices as possible. Thank you for your time and contributions to this important effort!

ABOUT FARM TO PLATE: Farm to Plate is Vermont’s statewide food system plan implemented by 350+ member organizations of the Farm to Plate Network to meet the goals of legislation passed in 2009 calling for increased economic development and jobs in the farm and food sector and improved access to healthy local food for all Vermonters. Vermont’s farm to plate food system plan is the most comprehensive in the country and the only state that has complete government engagement. In 2019, Vermont Farm to Plate was reauthorized beyond 2020. The program is managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, a nonprofit organization based in Montpelier, Vermont. www.VTFarmtoPlate.com