Farm Grants in Vermont
Federal USDA programs available to Vermont farmers, ranchers, and landowners.
Key agricultural sectors in Vermont: dairy, maple syrup, cattle, apples, hay
Active Federal Programs for Vermont Farmers
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
USDA NRCS · $5,000 – $450,000
Cost-share and financial assistance for conservation practices on working agricultural land. Covers soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and more.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
USDA NRCS · $1,500 – $40,000/year
Annual payments for maintaining and improving existing conservation systems. Rewards farmers already doing good stewardship.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE)
USDA NRCS · Up to 50% of fair market value
Protects working farmland by purchasing agricultural land easements. Keeps productive farmland in agriculture.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
USDA NRCS · Varies widely; partner-driven projects
Partners with organizations to deliver conservation at landscape scale. Individual farmers participate through partner projects.
Organic Transition Initiative - EQIP Organic
USDA NRCS · Up to $140,000 over 5 years
Dedicated EQIP funding for farmers transitioning to organic production. Higher payment rates than standard EQIP.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
USDA FSA · Covers 50–65% of expected production at 100% average market price
Crop insurance alternative for crops not covered by federal crop insurance. Service fee waived for beginning farmers.
SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant
USDA NIFA / SARE · $7,500 – $30,000 (varies by region)
Small grants for farmers to explore sustainable agriculture practices through on-farm research and education projects.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - General Signup
USDA FSA · Annual rental payments based on soil rental rates
Annual rental payments to remove environmentally sensitive land from production and plant resource-conserving covers.
Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG)
USDA Rural Development · $75,000 (planning) – $250,000 (working capital)
Grants for farmers to develop value-added products (e.g., turning milk into cheese, marketing organic beef). Planning and working capital grants.
Specialty Crop Block Grants
USDA AMS · $250,000 – $700,000 (state departments distribute to projects)
Grants to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, nursery, horticulture). Applied through state departments of agriculture.
Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
USDA FSA · Up to 50% of certification costs, max $500 per scope
Reimburses organic certification costs for certified organic operations. Up to $500 per scope of certification.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - Continuous Signup
USDA FSA · Annual rental payments + signing bonus up to $100/acre
Enroll eligible land in CRP at any time for high-priority conservation practices like buffer strips, wetlands, and pollinator habitat.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE)
USDA NRCS · 100% of easement value for permanent easements
Restore, protect, and enhance wetlands on eligible land through conservation easements.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP)
USDA FSA · Varies by loss type
Financial assistance for losses due to disease, adverse weather, or feed shortages not covered by other disaster programs.
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
USDA FSA · Up to 60% of monthly feed cost
Payments for grazing losses due to drought or fire on federally managed land.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)
USDA NIFA · $250,000 – $750,000 (for organizations providing training)
Funds education, mentoring, and technical assistance programs for beginning farmers. Apply through organizations, not individuals.
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
USDA NRCS · $200,000 – $2,000,000
Competitive grants for innovative conservation approaches. On-farm conservation innovation trials available for individual farmers.
Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP)
USDA AMS · $100,000 – $500,000
Supports development of local and regional food markets. Includes Farmers Market Promotion Program and Local Food Promotion Program.
FSA Microloans
USDA FSA · Up to $50,000
Small loans with simplified application for small and beginning farmers. Can be used for operating expenses, equipment, or land.
FSA Direct Farm Ownership Loans
USDA FSA · Up to $600,000
Low-interest loans to purchase farmland, construct buildings, or improve farms. Special terms for beginning farmers.
Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)
USDA NRCS · Easement payments based on land value + cost-share up to 75%
Restores and enhances forest ecosystems through easements and financial assistance for threatened and endangered species habitat.
Agriculture Risk Coverage / Price Loss Coverage (ARC/PLC)
USDA FSA · Varies by crop and market conditions
Annual safety net programs for commodity crop producers. ARC protects against revenue loss; PLC protects against price drops.
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Closed or Paused Programs
These programs are currently closed or paused but may reopen in future funding cycles.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
USDA Rural Development · $2,500 – $1,000,000 (grants cover up to 50%)
Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+)
USDA FSA · Varies by loss; covers up to 90% of expected value
Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)
USDA FSA · Payments when margin falls below selected coverage level
Vermont Agricultural Resources
NRCS Vermont
Conservation programs, technical assistance, and EQIP information for Vermont.
FSA Vermont
Farm loans, disaster assistance, and commodity programs for Vermont farmers.
Find Your Local USDA Office
Locate your nearest NRCS or FSA service center in Vermont.
Full Grant Calendar
View all farm grant deadlines with state filtering and program details.
Guides & Resources
Verify all deadlines with your local USDA service center. Dates may vary by state and are subject to change.