AG BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Services and resources to help agriculture and food businesses respond to COVID-19
UVM Extension Business Coaching
Extension educators are available for business coaching and can assist with locating resources, help with critical business decision-making, assessing changes to markets, financial planning and other issues facing your enterprises
Free Mediation Services from the Environmetal Mediation Center
Free mediation services for Vermont farmers
Farm First Mental Health Assistance
Mental health assistance and counseling for farmers and farm families
Vermont Legal Food Hub
Free legal services for Farmers, food entrepreneurs and related organizations
Free Consultation Regarding the Paycheck Protection Program
Professional assistance from Americanhort and Kcoe Isom
Surplus Food and Labor Coordination
Spreadsheet from Farm to Institution New England for connecting those with surplus food and labor to those who need it.
Distribution Matchmaking Tool
NOFA-VT tool for sharing and matching product and distribution between farmers and producers
Manufacturing Exchange Vermont
New platform for connecting people and supply chains
CARES Act Guide for Farm and Food Businesses
Farm and food business focused overview of the CARES Act
Online Ordering Platforms
Comprehensive guide covering costs and functionality of various online sales platforms
Guidance for Vermont Forest Economy Sector
COVID-19 related guidance from the VT Department of Forests
Webinar - Employment issues in the COVID-19 Environment
COVID-19 related information about labor, unemployment, from the VT Retail and Grocers Association
Podcast Series - Legal Resillience on the farm through COVID19
Ongoing discussion of COVID-19 related legal issues
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Resources for Farms and Agricultural Businesses looking for Financial Assistance in response to COVID-19
Vermont Agency of Agriculture - Farm to School infrastructure Grant
$1,000 grants for infrastructure or supplies to pursue farm to school goals and/or adapt meal programs in response to COVID-19
SBA Disaster Assistance - Economic Injury Disaster Loan*
Provides businesses with up to $10,000 in immediate loan assistance
*The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding
SBA Disaster Assistance - Paycheck Protection Program - Loan*
Provides an incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The loan amount will be based on 2.5 months of a business's payroll.
*The SBA is unable to accept new applications at this time based on available appropriations funding. Applications that have already been submitted will continue to be processed.
Vermont Community Foundation - COVID-19 Response Fund Grant
Supports nonprofits that are particularly equipped to address community impacts of the spread of the novel coronavirus in Vermont. Flexible, one time general operating grants.
Vermont Community Foundation - Special and Urgent Needs Grant
Helps Vermont nonprofits with unexpected expenses that impact their ability to meet their mission with grants of $500 to $5,000
NOFA - Vermont - Farmer Emergency Fund Grant
Available to assist Vermont certified organic and NOFA Vermont member commercial farmers who are in financial need after having been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters. Farmers may request up to $2,500
New England Grassroots Environmental Fund Grant
$1,000 grants for organizations with budgets under $100,000
GENYOUth Emergency School Nutrition Grant
Grants up to $3,000 per school for resources needed for meal distribution and delivery during COVID-19
American Farmland Trust Grant
Cash grants of up to $1,000 for COVID-19 relief for products with annual gross revenue between $10K and $1M from sales and farmers markets.
Food Animal Concerns Trust - Small Grants for Livestock and Poultry Farmers
Accepting mini-grant applications of up to $500 from livestock and poultry farmers who are experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hello Alice - Business for All emergency Grant
Offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by coronavirus, as part of our broader mission to ensure Business for All. In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive ongoing support from the Hello Alice community.
Vermont Farm Fund
Emergency loans for VT Farmers
North Country Federal Credit Union - Relief Loan
Existing members of North Country Federal Credit Union whose income is affected by COVID-19 could be eligible to receive loans of up to $5,000
USDA Rural Development - Loan Relief
Loan Relief for Section 515 Multi- Family properties, Single Family Housing, and Rural Utilities Grantees.
Vermont State Employees Credit Union Loan
offering a $2,000 loan with a 24 Month loan term and APR as low as 0% to help any Vermonter suffering a loss of income due to COVID-19
FOOD SAFETY
Resources for Farms and Agricultural Businesses related to food safety and COVID-19
FDA Food Safety and COVID-19 FAQ's
Food Safety guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
UVM Extension - Guide to cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting for produce farms
a guide to understanding the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. It is focused on produce farms and is motivated by current concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Food Safety Resources
Resources for the food industry from the Institute for Food Safety at Cornell
Disinfectants and COVID-19
Resources from the National Pesticide Information Center
CDC Best Practices for Retail Food and Restaurants
Food safety guidance for retail food stores, restaurants and food pick-up and delivery
FOOD ACCESS
Where to get emergency food services, who is helping, and who to contact if you want to help
Hunger Free Vermont
Food accesss information for Vermonters
Vermont Food Bank
Resources for meeting the needs of people facing hunger in light of COVID-19
Vermont Food Shelf Map
Find a food shelf near you
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Food assistance for older adults in VT
3 Squares VT
The state office for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Vermont W.I.C
Food assistance for women and infant children
Shift Meals
Food assistance for VT service industry workers impacted by COVID-19
CONSUMER RESOURCES
How consumers can get access to food and agriculture products
Dig In VT - Map of Vermont Farmstands
Edible VT - Partial list of Food and Drink Vendors
Hunger Free VT - School Meal Delivery Sites
NOFA VT - Vermont CSA Directory
VT Retail and Grocers Association - Retailers and Grocers with Curbside pickup or Delivery options
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions related to agriculture and COVID-19
Employment Law Related to COVID-19
FAQ for Vermont farmers and farm workers
Unemployment Insurance
FAQ from the Vermont Department of Labor
Considerations for VT Fruit and Vegetable Growers
FAQ's and resources from UVM Extension
Foreign Labor - H2A and H2B Visas
U.S. Department of Labor FAQ on foreign workers
USDA Food Safety Inspection Services COVID-19 FAQ's
FAQ's for commercial meat, poultry and egg businesses
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Additional Resources to help you and your business through COVID-19 including mental health services, public WiFi and resource directories
VT Dept of Public Service
Map of public buildings in Vermont where access to wifi internet is publicly available. These sites are accessible at all hours from a parked vehicle on the road or parking lot.
VT Dept of Public Service Wifi Information
Resources and policies related to internet access and services during the COVID19 crisis.
VT Health Network
Due to COVID-19, VT Health Connect is offering a special enrollment period (through April 17) for those who do not currently have health insurance to enroll in a qualified health plan and receive premium and cost-sharing assistance, if eligible
Conservation Law Foundation
Directory or legal assistance resources
VT Manufacturing Extension Center Resource List
Local, state and national resources for companies employees, including manufacturing-related topics and ideas, that can assist with COVID-19 related concerns
VT Retail and Grocers Association COVID-19 Resources
An extensive list of resources for retail and grocery businesses impacted by COVID-19
NOFA-VT Farmer Resource Page
COVID-19 related resources for VT farmers
Vegetable and Berry Grower Resources
Information provided by UVM Extension for VT farmers
AmericanHort
Broad collection of ag-related resources
Women's Agricultural Network at UVM
Information intended to help guide farmers and food producers to resources and support.
VT Peace and Justice Center
Mutual aid hub - resources broken down by VT region
Edible Vermont - Local Business Support Submission Form
During the COVID-19 crisis, Edible Vermont is compiling a variety of articles as resources for local businesses to share their crisis operations with their readership.
Vermont League of Cities and Towns
Resources for Cities and Towns about COVID-19. Common questions and answers