USDA funding will strengthen produce, maple, nursery, and other specialty crop industries across the state

November 4, 2026 | Montpelier, VT - 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.

External projects include:

• Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District will strengthen Vermont's floriculture sector by providing targeted education, technical assistance, and networking opportunities for flower farmers.

• The University of Vermont will improve pest management capacity for Vermont vegetable and berry producers statewide by expanding their Pest Scouting and Monitoring Network to provide region-specific pest reports.

• Village Hydroponics will develop practical tools, resources, and training for container-based winter hydroponic production of specialty crops in Vermont.

Additionally, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will lead four projects to improve specialty crop-focused activities at the state level:

• Coordination and alignment of regulatory requirements and best practices across state agencies to improve the grantmaking, technical service, and regulatory experience for Vermont's specialty crop industries.

• A statewide assessment in collaboration with the University of Vermont that will identify the opportunities, barriers, and investments needed to support greater wholesale market development for Vermont's specialty crops.

• Development of a Producer Navigation Tool to allow specialty crop producers to more easily access information, regulations, and resources required to start, grow, or sustain their operations.

• Expansion of the Maple Price Reporting Program to include unprocessed sap producers, providing regular insight into pricing for Vermont's sugar makers.

All Vermont SCBGP projects directly address recommendations, goals, and strategies from the Vermont Agriculture and Food Strategic Plan 2021-2030. The Strategic Plan, published by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, outlines a vision for Vermont's food system in 2030 along with goals, objectives, and priority strategies for action.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service awards Specialty Crop Block Grants annually to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. In Vermont, VAAFM administers these funds to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont and regionally grown specialty crops, defined as "fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)."

Applications for the next round of Vermont SCBGP will open in mid-November. Learn more about the program at the Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program webpage.

For questions about this announcement or the Vermont SCBGP, email [email protected].