The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces a $333,428 investment in the specialty crop industries through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Projects funded by this program focus on the competitiveness of fruit, vegetable, maple, and nursery crop industries in the state.
“Farmers and producers are innovators. These investments are critical to strengthening our rural economy, supporting our working lands, and helping the people who make their living off the land,” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Agriculture Secretary. “Supporting agriculture is investing in Vermont’s future.”
Since the program’s launch in 2006, the Vermont SCBGP has invested over $4.5 million in projects to benefit Vermont specialty crop producers. The program supports projects led by producers, researchers, and technical service providers, in addition to projects overseen by the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
VAAFM awards external SCBGP funds through a competitive review process guided by industry, nonprofit and government stakeholders. A stakeholder advisory committee identified Vermont’s funding priorities, and a review committee of industry professionals from a variety fields and industries made selection recommendations for this year’s awards.
Source : vermont.gov