Vermont Agricultural Food and Markets Agency Is your business part of the agriculture and forestry economy? Need funding for a capital project you’re planning? The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has funding through their Business Enhancement Grant, formerly known as the Standard Business Grant.
The Business Enhancement Grant can fund up to $35,000 for projects that focus on market development, research and development, infrastructure, energy, workforce training and development, and more!
Projects must have 100% (one-to-one) cash or a combination of cash and in-kind. Projects must be completed within 12 months.
Applications are now open until October 28. You can review the application form here and start your application here.
If you have questions or would like to connect with a business consultant who can help you conceptualize your project, please contact Clare Salerno, Agricultural Development Specialist at clare.salerno@vermont.gov.
Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival
The 34th Annual Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival is coming to Tunbridge this weekend! The festival aims to showcase natural fibers and fiber arts while entertaining the public and promoting small farms and fiber businesses.
This year’s festival has everything from vendors and a wool show/sale to fiber arts classes, shearing demonstrations and a petting zoo!
The festival starts at 10am on Saturday 1st October and runs until 5pm on 2nd October. You can see the full schedule here.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. No advance tickets needed, just turn up to Tunbridge Fairgrounds!
Festival: October 1st and 2nd
Monthly beef price reports
The Agriculture Agency collects monthly data from beef producers around the country to prepare reports showing retail and wholesale beef prices.
Whether you are a consumer interested in finding affordable beef or a producer trying to sell your products properly, these reports should be a helpful and timely resource.
Data are collected with funding from the USDA Market News Division. You can click here for last month’s report.
If you are a beef farmer interested in participating in the program, please contact Andrew Watson at andrew.watson@vermont.gov. Farms receive $15 per month.
Access this great resource here
Five Star Farms Course
Thinking of adding overnight accommodations to your farm or ranch business? Here’s a way to get you jump started without reinventing the wheel.
Five Star Farms is a course that aims to take you to the real host experience with practical tips to increase your farm income.
The course includes online modules and resource materials that you can take at your own pace over time. There’s also live Q&A, a private Facebook group, and email access to get your questions answered.
The course will be taught by Jane Colby, owner and farm host of Howling Wolf Farm in Randolph.
The course is $199 and can be paid in installments. Registration is required.
The course starts on: October 10.
Vaccines and Herd Health Webinar
Join UVM Extension and Dr. Dayna Lositzer for a webinar on the importance of vaccinations to the health of your herd.
Vaccination is an important preventive tool for cow health, but it is only useful when used correctly.
This free 3-hour webinar covers how cow vaccines work, what diseases they can prevent, and how to choose the right vaccines for your herd.
Dr. Dayna Lositzer has over 10 years of experience working with pasture-based dairies in the Northeast. She currently works as a senior veterinarian at Green Mountain Bovine Clinic in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.
Registration is required. A zoom link will be sent to registered attendees prior to the webinar.
