Additional Programs

Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF)

In 2005, the Vermont General Assembly established the Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) through Act 74 (30 V.S.A. § 8015). The purpose of the Fund is to increase the development and deployment in Vermont of cost-effective and environmentally sustainable electric power resources, primarily with respect to renewable energy resources, and the use in Vermont of combined heat and power technologies. The Vision for the CEDF is to serve the citizens of Vermont by increasing local small-scale renewable energy generation while maximizing associated economic development. The Fund coordinates with other state programs and private entities to integrate and advance renewable energy across all sectors of the State’s energy economy. Read more…

Farm and Residential Heating Oil Tank Removal Grants (FRHOTR)

The goal of the finacial assistance program is to assist low income VT property owners in replacing, or upgrading, tanks which otherwise might leak and cause adverse impact to the environment. In many cases, this means prioritizing funds to the lowest incomes applicants who otherwise would not have the financial resources to accomplish the tank replacement. Environmental risk and household income are the two main considerations for allocation of funds, as set forth in Statute. The amount of an applicants financial assistance will be determined at the time when a complete application is received and reviewed. Applicants will be notified in writing if they are approved and how much financial assistance they may receive.  Any application deemed ineligible to received financial assistance will also be notified in writing of the denial of the application. Read more…

Vermont Farmland Conservation Program

Vermont Farmland Conservaiton Program through the Vermont Housing and Conservaiton Board is focused on retaining the state’s quality agricultural land base in strong farming regions of the state. The purchase of conservation easements on farmland preserves Vermont’s working landscape–the open farm fields, woodlands and farmsteads that comprise the third largest sector in the state’s economy and draw visitors that make tourism the largest sector. Because of VHCB’s investment in conservation easements, some of Vermont’s most productive farmland will remain undeveloped and the best soils will remain available for farming in the future. Selling conservation easements enables a landowner to keep land in agricultural use and be compensated for potential development value of the land, recognizing the asset value of the land. The landowner retains title and agrees to terms of a conservation easement limiting future ability to subdivide and develop the land. Read more…

Nature Conservancy Conservation Easements (CE)

Land ownership carries with it a bundle of rights—to occupy, lease, sell, develop, construct buildings, farm, restrict access or harvest timber, among others. A landowner can give up one or more right for a purpose such as conservation while retaining ownership of the remainder. Private property subject to a conservation easement remains in private ownership. Many types of private land use, such as farming, can continue under terms of a conservation easement, and owners can continue to live on the property. The agreement may require landowner to take certain actions to protect land and water resources, such as fencing a stream to keep livestock out or harvesting trees in certain way; or to refrain from certain actions, such as developing or subdividing land. Conservation easements do not mean properties are automatically opened up to public access unless so specified in an easement. The terms of a conservation easement are set jointly by landowner and the entity that will hold easement. Read more…

Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVP)

FVP offers business planning and technical assistance services to Vermont farmers as part of a statewide effort to improve the economic viability of Vermont agriculture. The program is funded by the VHCB, VAAFM and NRCS. Farmers enrolled work with a farm business planner provided through cooperating organizations, or directly with an individual consultant. The planning process involves the farmer in an assessment of farm operation’s strengths and weaknesses and in exploration of management changes that could increase profitability. Examples include consultations on keeping better production or financial records, financial benchmark analysis, meetings with crop or animal health specialists, new farm enterprise analysis, estate and farm transfer planning, labor management, and value-added processing. Farmers who have completed plans with the program are eligible for grants for capital expenses or additional technical support in implementing the business plan. Read more…