Agricultural Fairs and Field Days Capital Projects Competitive Grants

The Agricultural Fairs and Field Days Capital Projects Competitive Grants Program and Stipend Fund are administered by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets to support Vermont agricultural fairs and field day organizations through capital improvements and operational assistance. The program has been administered for more than a decade and is funded through annual appropriations from the Vermont Legislature. Vermont agricultural fairs and field days collectively attract more than 300,000 visitors annually and contribute to Vermont's agricultural economy, tourism sector, and working landscape. The program is authorized under 24 V.S.A. Section 5608 and related Vermont statutes governing agricultural fair associations and funding distribution formulas. The purpose of the program is to strengthen and maintain community facilities and fairgrounds that host agricultural fairs and field day events throughout Vermont. Capital Grants are intended to support long-term capital improvement projects with a minimum useful life of 20 years after contract execution. Eligible projects are expected to improve infrastructure, buildings, or facilities that contribute to public cultural and agricultural activities. In addition to the competitive capital grants, annual stipends are distributed to qualifying Vermont agricultural fairs associations to support operating costs, premiums for competitive exhibits, and plant improvements. These fairs provide opportunities for the agricultural community to demonstrate agricultural practices, products, skills, and livelihoods connected to maintaining Vermont's working landscape. For Fiscal Year 2026, the total funding available under the program is $410,000. Of this amount, $300,000 is allocated to Competitive Capital Grants and $110,000 is allocated to annual stipends. The maximum Capital Grant award available to any single applicant is $37,500. Stipend awards are distributed according to the statutory Stipend Distribution Fund Formula established by Vermont law. Applicants receiving Capital Grants are required to contribute a cash match equal to at least 15 percent of the grant value. Applicants must also provide project quotes demonstrating the full project cost. Projects funded through the Capital Grant program must be completed by the end of the following calendar year after award. Eligibility for Capital Grants is limited to nonprofit organizations and municipalities associated with Vermont agricultural fairs and field days that operate for a minimum of three consecutive eight-hour days per year. Projects must directly relate to Vermont agricultural fairs and field days and must demonstrate a useful life of at least 20 years. Several categories of proposals are ineligible, including applications from organizations that do not meet the statutory definition of an eligible fair, projects already completed prior to award, projects lacking the required useful lifespan, applicants out of compliance with federal, state, or local laws, and organizations with unresolved issues related to previous Agency grants or assistance programs. Stipend eligibility similarly requires agricultural fairs or field day events to be held annually and include competitive exhibits in at least five categories. New applicants for stipends must also operate events for a minimum of three consecutive days with at least eight operating hours each day. The Fiscal Year 2026 application timeline begins with the release of the Request for Applications on October 15, 2025. Applications open on October 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM and close on December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Award notifications are scheduled for February 2, 2026. The source material indicates that funding is appropriated yearly, demonstrating that the program is recurring on an annual basis. No separate letters of intent, concept papers, or pre-application requirements are identified in the source material. The application process primarily requires submission of project details, proof of project costs through quotes, and documentation demonstrating eligibility and compliance with program requirements. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets serves as the administering agency for both funding opportunities. The program contact identified in the source material is Selina Rooney, who can be reached by email at selina.rooney@vermont.gov or by phone at 802-522-7811. The funding source is state appropriated funding intended to preserve and improve Vermont's agricultural fair infrastructure and operations. Because the funding is appropriated annually and the Agency has administered the program for more than a decade, organizations may reasonably anticipate future annual funding opportunities subject to legislative appropriations and agency administration.

Emphasize projects with a clear 20-year useful life and provide complete project cost documentation with all required quotes. Ensure organizational compliance with prior grant obligations and demonstrate how the project supports Vermont agricultural fairs and field day activities.