The Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers' Association Research Fund provides grants of up to $500 to support small scale, farmer-designed research projects. Projects may involve any aspect of vegetable or berry growing or marketing which will benefit VVBGA growers and further the association's mission: "To promote the economic, environmental and social sustainability of vegetable and berry farming in Vermont."

Write a short proposal that is as clear and specific as you can make it, so the reviewers know what you are trying to do, why, and how. Your proposal should answer these questions:

1. Briefly describe your farm
2. What is the issue you want to address and why is it important?
3. What methods will you use to study or address the issue?
4. How will you measure your results?
5. How will you share the project's results with other growers?
6. How much money are you requesting and what will you use if for?

Send your proposal to one of the research committee members listed below (preferably by e-mail). Feel free to contact before submssion if you have a question.

If the committee has questions, they may contact you for more information.

After initial approval by the committee, funds are allocated by the Board of Directors at their December or February meeting, depending on when the proposal is received, and you will be notified soon after. If the committee or board does not approve your project they will let you know why.

1. The applicant must be a current member of the VVBGA.

2. Grants are limited (with certain exceptions) to $500 per applicant, per year.

3. Granted funds may be used for such expenses as expendable materials, hired services, phone calls , printing, and other such costs, and up to $100 for the grantee's own labor. Funds for permanent "hardware", tools ,and transportation will only be granted at the discretion of the Grant Committee.

4. Half of the granted funds will be paid on approval of the project and the remainder after it's successful completion.

5. Completion of the project includes the submission by the grantee of a written description of the research results, a listing of actual expenses and a presentation describing the project and its results or conclusions at the annual VVBGA meeting or other such meetings.

6. The written results of the project and any other information generated by the project will become the property of both the grantee and the VVBGA and may be used by either as they see fit.

- The design, construction, and trial of a tractor-mounted flame weeding device. (a past project)
- A survey at several Vermont vegetable stands to determine what factors positively influence customer buying patterns and preferences.
- Developing a method to use visual assesment of sweet corn growth stage to determine optimal timing of sequential plantings.