Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Announce $31.7 Million for Vermont Agriculture and Timber Disaster Assistance Block Grant

Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) today announced an agreement has been signed, unlocking $31.7 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the Vermont Agriculture and Timber Disaster Assistance Block Grant. The award provides supplemental disaster assistance under the American Relief Act of 2025, which was passed by Congress in December 2024.

"The impacts of severe storms in the last couple of years are still being felt across Vermont," said Governor Phil Scott. "These programs are important to helping Vermont adapt to these weather challenges and develop sustainable systems for the future, and I want to thank USDA for their partnership."

Under the agreement, the State of Vermont will receive $31.7 million in funding to administer through VAAFM. The grant will cover a variety of categories for Vermont farmers and producers, including:

• Eligible infrastructure
• Timber
• Market losses
• Future economic losses
• Bare-ground practices necessary to mitigate land loss

This funding will provide essential aid to agricultural operators whose livelihoods have been jeopardized by severe weather and flooding events in 2023 and 2024.

"Weather is always a challenge for farmers, especially during frosts, floods and droughts," said Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts. "The events of 2023 and 2024 challenged our farmers, farms, producers and food systems, and this new funding from USDA will help bring stability to all of them. I want to thank Senator Peter Welch and Vermont's congressional delegation, as well as USDA, for their thoughtful work and support of Vermont agriculture, farmers, families and communities."

"Vermont's forest economy depends on the people who manage, harvest, and steward working forests every day," said Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Danny Fitzko. "Severe weather events have created real challenges for forest landowners and loggers alike, from damaged timber stands to suspended logging operations. This funding will help support recovery on the ground while strengthening the long-term resilience of Vermont's working lands."

With the agreement signed, work now begins to build the program in Vermont, accept applications and issue grants that will cover qualifying losses not addressed by other USDA disaster programs. VAAFM expects the program to open for applications in 2026.

To stay up to date on the status of the program, producers should visit the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets website at agriculture.vermont.gov/flood.

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