$8.5 million in relief funds represent the third phase of the Vermont Covid-19 Agriculture Assistance Program
On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets announced $8.5 million in relief funding has been made available for farmers, sugar makers, meat and poultry processors, slaughterhouses, farmers markets, agricultural food products businesses, forest products businesses, and producer associations to cover losses and expenses caused by the Covid-19 public health emergency.
“Farmers have not stopped working since the pandemic and are providing us with food but many of their markets were disrupted, creating economic hardship. These grants are intended to alleviate losses and added expenses due to the impacts of COVID-19,” said Governor Phil Scott. The Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance Application is the third and final Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP) to launch this summer, following the earlier release of the Dairy Assistance Application and the Agricultural Fairs Application.
“The Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance Application is designed to provide broad support across many sectors of Vermont agriculture that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts. “We are eager to get much-needed financial relief into the hands of Vermont farm, food, and forestry businesses to support their recovery and long-term viability.”
Prospective applicants can learn more and apply at agriculture.vermont.gov/covid-19-information/vermont-covid-19-agriculture-assistance-program/agriculture-and-working-lands.
Application deadline is Oct. 1, 2020, however, grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so the application may close prior to Oct. 1 if all funds are expended.
