September news + Events
Featured Farmer:
Dan & Elyse Wulfkuhle
Wood's Market Garden, Brandon, Vermont
Dan and Elyse Wulfkuhle’s experience as Vermont farmers can be measured in months, but their passion for organic farming and their newfound community is boundless.
 
They purchased the iconic Wood’s Market Garden in Brandon in January of this year. It had been operated by the much admired Jon and Courtney Satz since 2000 until Jon’s untimely passing in 2021. When we visited the Wulfkuhles in August, it was almost like dropping in on the parents of a new baby: We found them proud, enthusiastic, a smidge tired, but none the worse for wear. 
 
Dan and Elyse arrived here from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. For many years, Elyse worked for the Quinault Indian Nation on water quality issues while Dan cut his teeth at other farms. Once they had children–Clara and Theo–the dream of owning a farm emerged and the search began in earnest. It took more than five years of looking high and low in both Washington and Vermont, but the Wulfkuhles eventually found their home. 
 
“We’re happy to be a part of this awesome farming community,” says Dan.
 
Training Opportunity
Soil Health Training
Series Kickoff
Tuesday, Nov 14, 2023
9am-2pm
 
VYCC Farm
1949 East Main St.
Richmond, VT 05477
 
Brought to you by the Franklin County NRCD, this training is for
anyone who works with land stewards (including farmers, foresters, residential lands, etc.) to provide technical assistance related to land and soil management. It is aimed at providers in Vermont and the Lake Champlain Basin portion of New York. The goals are for providers to develop their understanding of the current science around soil health, management practices that support soil health (historic, current, and cutting-edge), and site-specific considerations when working with land stewards. 

The series begins with an in-person kickoff on Tuesday November 14th followed by 12 weeks of weekly 2hr webinars each Tuesday from 2pm-4pm. Click here for more information.
 
 
Big changes to Begap
Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP)
There are significant changes to the award formula for the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP), which apply to all BEGAP grantees - past, present, and future.
 
Since August, when BEGAP launched, organizations that suffered less than $1 million dollars in physical damage were eligible for grants equaling 20% of their net uncovered damages (damages less insurance proceeds, donations, or other grants), with a maximum payout of $20,000. The new formula eliminates the $20,000 cap and increases payouts to 30% of net uncovered damages.
 
Organizations that have already received a 20% payout do not need to take any action to receive the increased award amount. They will automatically receive an additional payment to bring their award up to 30%. For organizations in the queue, they are eligible for the 30% award.
 
If you are an agricultural operation and have not yet applied for BEGAP, click the link below for more information. Applications will be processed, reviewed, and awarded on a first come, first served basis.
 
 
Membership
New Members
Thank you to these individuals for joining the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition over the past month!
 
Class 2 - Individuals
Thomas Hall
Amber Perry
Terry Moore
 
Interested in a membership with CVFC?
 
 
Grants + Funding
Funding Opportunities
Farm Disaster Relief
The Vermont Community Foundation has opened a second round of the Farm Disaster Relief Grant Program. It addresses the critical needs of Vermont farms that sustained damage from the historic storms and flooding in July and August. The program is designed to meet unmet need, and help farms and farmers continue or return to production. This opportunity is made possible by many organizations and individuals who contributed generously to the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023. Applications are due on September 27. Learn More
 
Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP)
Financial assistance is available for new or used innovative equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters, improve water quality of state waters, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, mitigate greenhouse gasses, and reduce costs to farmers when they apply manure.
 
Applications must be received by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets by November 1, 2023. Notification of successful applicants will occur by February 1, 2024. Funded equipment must be purchased next spring after the grant is awarded and before June 1 2024. Click here to learn more and apply. 
 
Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP)
$1 million is available through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets for food and farm businesses, organizations, or individuals who raise animals and/or grow food or crops for sale, or who operate on-farm processing operations that have experienced physical damage due to the flooding event. These applicants will apply as “agriculture” sector applicants via the Agency of Agriculture website.
 
Agricultural or food businesses engaged in off-farm processing or food manufacturing should apply directly to ACCD BEGAP as a “manufacturing” or “retail” sector applicant.
 
Grants are reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. The application portal opened August 3rd, so apply now while funding is available!
 
If you represent a farm or agricultural operation and have questions, please email agr.floodresponse@vermont.gov or contact Agency of Agriculture staff Abbey Willard at 802-272-2885 or Mary Montour at 802-461-6087. Click here to learn more and apply. 
 
Pasture and Surface Water Fencing (PSWF) Program
Provides pasture management technical assistance and financial assistance to Vermont farmers to improve water quality and on-farm livestock exclusion from surface waters statewide. Applications accepted year-round. Click here for more information.
 
Grassed Waterway and Filter Strip (GWFS) Program
Provides technical and financial assistance to Vermont farmers for in-field agronomic best practices to address critical source areas, erosion, and surface runoff. The Program’s goal is to reduce soil erosion and improve soil and water quality on cropland that contributes a disproportionately high level of nutrients in runoff. Such areas of cropland are considered “Critical Source Areas” (CSAs), representing a small proportion of the landscape yet a high proportion of nonpoint source pollution loads. Applications accepted year-round. Click here for more information.
 
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
A voluntary program designed to reduce sediment runoff and improve water quality by removing land from agricultural production and establishing vegetative buffers. State and federal funds are used to compensate landowners for the loss of productive agricultural land through upfront incentive payments and annual rental payments based on the total acreage dedicated to vegetated filter strips, forested buffers, or grassed waterways. Applications accepted year-round. Click here for more information.
 
Community Recovery and Revitalization Program (CRRP)
The CRRP will provide funding for projects that make capital improvements or capital expansions that were delayed due to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. Eligible uses for these funds include the development of affordable housing, improvements to or new construction of childcare facilities, projects for nonprofits and small businesses in impacted industries*, and municipal water supply and wastewater projects. These recovery funds are intended to retain and expand existing businesses and nonprofit organizations with a preference for projects located in regions and communities with declining or stagnant grand list values. The application is now open and will remain open until all funds are allocated. Click here for more information.
 
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Applications accepted year-round. Click here for more information. Contact Tracy Rexford with any questions regarding REAP at  tracy.rexford@usda.gov.
 

Thank You to Our Partners!
 
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Our mission to assist all farmers in implementing innovative agricultural practices that enhance water quality, soil health, climate smart farming, and their economic resiliency in the Champlain Valley is generously supported by the 
 
We are also grateful for the kind support of our business members!
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