VCAAP Amendments Passed - Here’s what you need to know!

Together with the budget amendments in H.929, the changes to the Vermont Agriculture Assistance Programs (VCAAP) have passed (see page 143 onwards in the bill). The Governor’s signature can be expected very soon. Here is the summary of the achieved improvements:

  • Timeline: the deadline for all VCAAP programs has been extended to November 15th 2020. 

  • Eligibility: The “no net profitability” clause shall not be applied as a disqualifying criteria from CRF assistance by AAFM and applicants that had a net business profit between March 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020 will be reviewed for eligibility for assistance through the CRF Working Lands Grant Program. Notice: no additional application will be required, there’s different funds available under one and the same Agriculture and Working Lands Application.  

More good news: Sole Proprietors are eligible and shall not be disqualified because they have not filed a W-2 form in the 2018 or 2019 taxable year. 

  • Reports: VAAFM is tasked to present a report on the remaining funds in the programs by October 1st - stay tuned for updates in this regard.

  • Small Farmers Markets: AAFM will use $140,000 from the unexpended funds in FY 2021 to award grants up to $2,000 to farmers’ markets with gross sales of less than $10,000 in Vermont that have suffered lost revenues or expenses due to COVID-19. Notice: Farmers’ Markets with gross sales of more than $10,000 are eligible under the Ag and Working Lands Application. 


For more general information on the VCAAP applications, please read this Rural Vermont blog post.

Rural Vermont