Two USDA Grant Opportunities

June 5, 2015Funding Opportunities, Organic Producers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that approximately $11.9 million in organic certification assistance is available through state departments of agriculture to make organic certification more affordable for organic producers and handlers across the country. The funding is provided on a cost share basis and certification assistance is distributed by … Read More

Application Period Now Open for 3 Farm Viability Grant Programs

June 2, 2015Beginning Farmers, Funding Opportunities

GUEST BLOG POST: By the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is accepting applications from farmers who wish to participate in these Department programs in Fiscal Year 2016.  Interested farm operators are encouraged to review these options on the web pages of the Department found at www.mass.gov/agr/ (Click on Grants and Funding Programs … Read More

Grants Available to Fund Rural Business Development

May 10, 2015Funding Opportunities, National Farmers Union

GUEST BLOG POST By Barbara Patterson, government relations representative, National Farmers Union The renewal of rural America through increased business and agriculture cooperative development remains at the forefront of Farmers Union’s mission. One program for these purposes is the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG), something NFU has been an advocate for since the mid-1990s. NFU voiced its support for the program … Read More

Farm Credit East Releases 2015 Outlook Report for Farmers

March 24, 2015Farm Economics, Farmers, Farming Practices, Funding Opportunities

GUEST BLOG POST by Farm Credit East Farm Credit East, a farmer-owned cooperative, recently released its 2015 industry outlook report. This report examines challenges and opportunities for Northeast agriculture, as well as the impact of broader economic trends and conditions on our region’s farm businesses. “Farming, forestry and fishing businesses have rapidly become knowledge-based businesses,” … Read More

NRCS Reminds Vermont Farmers of March 20th EQIP Signup Deadline

March 10, 2015Farm Bill 2013, Farm Economics, Funding Opportunities, USDA

New England Farmers Union advocates for programs in the farm bill such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Recently, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont announced an EQIP signup deadline of March 20, 2015. Farmers are reminded that the deadline to apply is approaching and they are encouraged to submit applications by this … Read More

Farmers Union Scholarship Looks to Agriculture’s Future

February 4, 2015Beginning Farmers, Educational Opportunities, Funding Opportunities

The education foundation of the New England Farmers Union is offering a $500 scholarship to a student who will study agriculture at a 2-year or 4-year accredited institution. The scholarship enables Farmers Union to develop the next generation of farmer leaders who will succeed in agriculture and advocate for family farmers.   “As part of our … Read More