Farm First is a free, Vermont-based program providing farmers and their families with support, resources and information to reduce stress. We can help connect you to resources, including technical, legal or financial assistance, as well as to a counselor or trained peer. You don't have to be alone with your challenges. We're good listeners and can help you address the challenges you face. We're here to help.
The Farm First Peer Network is a group of farmers who have been trained in listening skills and accessing resources, and are available to talk-through anything a farmer might be going through. To connect with a peer, send an email to EvaG@farmfirst.org.
Get Our Help
We welcome your call or email. One of our resource specialists will get back to you and arrange an initial meeting.
Self Assessments
Try our screening tools for alcohol, anxiety, and depression to help you learn more about yourself.
Peer Support
We're starting a network of farmers throughout Vermont who want to support each other in different ways.
Farm First News
Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development is now taking applications for grants through the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program!
The Department of Economic Development has created the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). This $20 million grant program is for businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damages from flooding dating back to July 7, 2023. Applicants must intend on restoring, reopening, and bringing their employees back to work as soon as possible and will utilize these grant funds for that purpose.
$1 million in this funding is intended for agricultural businesses, including farms and on-farm processing businesses. Visit the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets website for more information specific to agricultural applicants for this relief grant.
To access the application portal, as well as a recorded webinar, a frequently asked questions page, contact information, and more: click "Read More" below to go the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program page on the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development site.
Read More »
$1 million in this funding is intended for agricultural businesses, including farms and on-farm processing businesses. Visit the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets website for more information specific to agricultural applicants for this relief grant.
To access the application portal, as well as a recorded webinar, a frequently asked questions page, contact information, and more: click "Read More" below to go the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program page on the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development site.
Complete VAAFM's Loss and Damage Survey
From July 7-18, 2023, Vermont experienced historic and catastrophic severe weather and flooding.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is requesting information from farms, agricultural businesses, and service and non-profit organizations to understand the overall impact of this natural disaster.
The purpose of this survey is to, as accurately as possible, capture the type and scale of the damage agricultural producers suffered throughout the state. Survey data will be used to inform response efforts, effectively allocate resources, and advocate for future relief and recovery programs.
If you are a business, organization, or individual that raises animals and/or grows feed or crops for anyone beyond your immediate family, we kindly request that you fill out this survey. It should only take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. The survey will remain open until August 28th.
Read More »
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is requesting information from farms, agricultural businesses, and service and non-profit organizations to understand the overall impact of this natural disaster.
The purpose of this survey is to, as accurately as possible, capture the type and scale of the damage agricultural producers suffered throughout the state. Survey data will be used to inform response efforts, effectively allocate resources, and advocate for future relief and recovery programs.
If you are a business, organization, or individual that raises animals and/or grows feed or crops for anyone beyond your immediate family, we kindly request that you fill out this survey. It should only take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. The survey will remain open until August 28th.
New Well-being Checkup. We'll pay you $100 to participate!
A well-being checkup involves your meeting with our health coach (via videoconference or in person), taking a brief survey to assess your wellbeing, and then as appropriate, choosing an area of wellness to work on improving with the health coach over a few free and confidential sessions (generally about 15-45 minutes each). We will then ask you to complete a brief follow-up survey (takes only a few minutes) 3 months later. If interested, contact Ginger Cloud at GingerC@InvestEAP.org or (802) 277-6560.