Posted August 25, 2020 at 06:27am by Ollie Cultrara
Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Announces $8.5 Million VCAAP Relief Grants for Eligible Agriculture and Working Lands Businesses and Organizations
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets announces relief funding totaling $8.5 million for farmers, meat and poultry processors, slaughterhouses, farmers markets, value-added food product businesses, forest products businesses, and producer associations to cover losses and expenses caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
On July 14th, Governor Phil Scott and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) Secretary Anson Tebbetts announced the opening of the first of three economic relief programs for the agriculture community under the Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP). The Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance Application is the third and final VCAAP program 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 Secretary 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.”
The deadline to apply is October 1, 2020. However, grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so the application may close prior to October 1 if all funds are expended. Before applying, applicants should gather the following documentation: 2019 Tax Return, 2019 and 2020 Income Statements broken out by month, as well as documentation of losses incurred since March 1, 2020 that are related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Applicants should also have available the information that is captured in a W-9 form, but applicants are not required to submit a signed W-9 with their applications. Prospective applicants can learn more and apply at agriculture.vermont.gov/covid-19-information/vermont-covid-19-agriculture-assistance-program/agriculture-and-working-lands.
VAAFM will host a series of webinars to walk through the application process and answer questions from prospective applicants. The first webinar will take place on Friday, August 21st at 12 PM. Join the webinar or view the webinar recording at the Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance Application webpage.
For questions please contact:
(802) 828-2430 select #9