Director's Corner

And, one of my least favorite parts of my job is informing people that there are few, if any grants to finance business start-up. What grant programs are available are generally quite competitive, and grantors are generally looking for people who can demonstrate they have the expertise and experience to carry out a successful project. A loan, backed up by a solid business plan, is a much more likely source of start-up funds.

That’s why I’m so pleased to tell you about a new grant opportunity explicitly aimed at helping Vermont farm women build thriving businesses.

The Vermont Farm Women’s Fund (VFWF) is poised to award its first round of scholarships and stipends to help women farmers improve their businesses and/or become more involved in agricultural policy development.

One of the key goals of the Farm Women’s Fund is to provide women with financial assistance that is not readily available elsewhere. The fund is not geared to beginners, but it is unique in its focus on the particular needs of farm women.

Approximately half of the state’s 6500 farms reported having at least one woman operator, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture. The census also shows that women often operate smaller farms and have lower farm earnings than their male counterparts. Many women also start farming as new entrants, and therefore may have different educational needs than people who come from farming backgrounds.

For these reasons, the fund will make awards in two areas. Farm Business Development awards will provide support for education and travel to help recipients improve some aspect of their business. Leadership Development awards will help women farmers develop skills, access and opportunities to provide leadership in agricultural policy development. Examples include: new product development and research; feasibility studies; education in business management; and registration or tuition fees for leadership programs, seminars or institutes. Additionally, applicants may request funds to help defray associated travel, childcare, and replacement labor.

The Vermont Farm Women’s fund was established by Vermont author and photographer Peter Miller, who donated a percentage of the sales of his book Vermont Farm Women, to the fund. The fund has also received generous support from the Key Bank Foundation, Vermont Country Store, National Life, and individual donors.

A panel of Vermont farm women will make award decisions based on applicant need and the strength of the application.

Grants will be capped at $750 per recipient. The application deadline is May 5. The fund anticipates making three to five awards this spring, so it could be competitive. However, a second round of 2008 awards will be made in November. Go to Vermont Farm Women Fund Application or contact me at wagn@uvm.edu or 802-223-2389x15 for more information.

Beth Holtzman
Outreach Coordinator
Women’s Agricultural Network

WAgN
Women's Agricultural Network
617 Comstock Road, Suite 5
Berlin, VT 05602-9194
(802) 223-2389
or wagn@zoo.uvm.edu

University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, notional orgin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.