Vermont’s $31.7 million recovery fund: who can apply and when

NorthEast News is tracking Vermont’s new $31.7 million recovery program for farms, forest landowners and logging contractors with qualifying weather losses from 2023 or 2024. Applications are expected to open Oct. 26, and the first phase is designed to cover up to 95% of eligible losses, capped at $75,000.

The program matters because losses can extend beyond a damaged building or field: eligibility may include crop and market losses, standing or harvested timber, and certain costs to assess or restore damaged forest land. Applicants will need documentation connecting their losses to an eligible weather event. The state expects the first application window to close Dec. 31, with payments anticipated in early 2027.

A second phase is planned for larger infrastructure projects, with competitive grants from above $75,000 up to $750,000. That phase has different rules, so producers should review the details before deciding which support may fit.

Our report explains eligible losses, records to gather and the distinction between the two phases: https://www.northenews.com/article.html?slug=vermont-agriculture-timber-disaster-aid-applications-2026

NorthEast News is an independent regional publication covering New Hampshire and New England.