Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP)

Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) is sponsored by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The FVEP provides one-on-one business planning assistance and technical assistance to established farms to help increase farm viability. Participants may receive grant funds for identified farm improvement projects in return for signing an agricultural covenant.

Massachusetts Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) Guide - Ambrook Massachusetts Farm Viability Enhancement Program ( FVEP ) Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Share https://ambrook. com/funding/fvep?

utm_medium=referral The Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) provides business planning, technical assistance, and grants to commercial farms to improve farm viability and preserves and supports the stewardship of agricultural resources. The program provides one-on-one business planning assistance and technical assistance in areas of need such as family succession, marketing, or financial tracking to help increase farm viability.

Participants selected to participate in the program may be offered grant funds of up to $90,000, $130,000 or $175,000 for identified farm improvement projects in return for signing an agricultural covenant on the farm property to keep it in agricultural use for a 10 or 15-year term.

Eligible uses of funds include farm capital projects such as building or renovating barns, farmstands, wash pack facilities, farm equipment, or improving resources such as wells or fencing.

Farm operations must have been in active use by the current operator for at least the three previous years and have generated at least $10,000 in gross farm income, as shown on Schedule F or Form 1120, or other relevant tax statements from the most recent tax year to be eligible to apply. Farms must own at least 5 acres of land currently in active agricultural production.

Farms must intend to keep their land in continued agricultural use and the property to be put under covenant through the program must be unencumbered by any other restrictions on the deed. The covenant is a deed restriction prohibiting any uses on the farm except agricultural uses.

The covenant is recorded at the registry of deeds and prohibits activities detrimental to the agricultural use of the land for a specific term, either five, ten, or fifteen years. Rights retained by landowners include the right to privacy and to carry out regular agricultural practices, to maintain the farm in its present condition, and to construct or place temporary structures for agricultural uses.

Prohibited uses include construction or placement of non-agriculturally related temporary or permanent structures, and non-agricultural uses on the land. Prior written approval may be requested for certain agricultural structures or uses that do not derogate from the intent of the covenant.

If selected for Phase I of the program, farmers must agree to participate in a business planning process intended to help them increase the economic viability of their farm. Participants receive assistance to develop a business plan or business plan update including financial projections. Additional technical assistance may also be available.

This process usually takes about 5 or 6 months. Upon approval of a completed plan by the Department, the farm may be eligible to move to Phase II of the program to receive a grant for eligible capital projects identified in the plan intended to increase farm viability in return for placing land under a short-term a covenant to keep it in agricultural use.

To apply, applicants must submit a completed Attachment A Application Response Form signed by Applicants and landowners with the below required attachments: Aerial photograph or map with your farm property outlined. (You may obtain copies of maps or aerial photos online, from an up-to-date NRCS conservation plan or contact your USDA-NRCS field office to request a map with advance notice.)

NRCS Farm Conservation Plan or Co-operator’s Agreement (requirement for cranberry farmers only) Completed Attachment A-1 addendum (requirement for prior FVEP grant recipients only).

If an Applicant does not own the land they farm, a signed copy of an executed lease must be submitted along with the application that allows permission for the applicant to farm the land at least through June of 2023 and allows any proposed infrastructure to be constructed and used on the property. All applicants, including landowners, must sign this application.

All required attachments and full application information can be found in the current Request For Proposals . Then submit the completed package by either Emailing as attachment(s) to Jill. Ward@mass.

gov with subject: "FVEP APPLICATION" Mailing hard copies to the following address: Farm Viability Enhancement Program Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources 138 Memorial Ave, Suite 42 West Springfield, MA 01089 2022 Request for Proposals Request for Written Approval form for prior FVEP participants Direct Farm Operating Loan Loan General Equipment Animal Purchase Diversification Marketing Processing Feed Seed Fertilizer Cash Rent Housing Construction Infrastructure Repairs Pest Management Storage Legal & Finance Water Management Waterway Protection Water Quality Conservation Training Immigrants CSA Refinancing Reduced Tillage National Any Environmental Quality Incentives Program ( EQIP ) Natural Resources Conservation Service Grant Cost Share Conservation Cover Crops Forest Management Certified Grassfed Irrigation High Tunnel Certified Organic Air Quality Alternative Energy Soil Health Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat Water Quality Weather Research Landscape Precision Ag Drought Nutrient Management Carbon Capture Fencing Agroforestry Grazing Management Reduced Inputs National Any Farm Storage Facility Loan Program ( FSFL ) Loan Infrastructure Equipment Storage Lighting Delivery Vehicle National Oilseeds Peanuts Pulse Crops Hay Honey Biomass Fruits Vegetables Floriculture Hops Maple Sap Milk Cheese Yogurt Butter Eggs Rye Aquaculture Poultry Livestock Grains International Fresh Produce Association , U.S. Department of Agriculture Grant Climate-Smart AL CA FL GA LA Berries Grapes Fruits Vegetables Extension Equipment Conservation Construction Repairs Buildings Infrastructure Processing Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources This information was gathered from public sources.

Ambrook is not responsible for or able to affect the results of any financial programs listed, nor are they responsible for any incorrect information that is listed or is on the hyperlinked external sites. All information is subject to change. Explore hundreds more programs on Ambrook.