November 26, 2025
NOFA-VT’s Farm Share Program helps make local food more affordable by covering 25–75% of the cost of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share or farm stand credit for Vermonters who need financial assistance, while ensuring farmers receive full payment. A CSA is a subscription, typically weekly, that provides a steady supply of farm-fresh vegetables, dairy, meats, bread, and other products directly from a local farm.
Farm Share was started over 30 years ago by farmers committed to ensuring that no one would be excluded from accessing a CSA due to an inability to pay. Since 2019, demand for the program has grown dramatically, and by 2025, NOFA-VT has been able to support nearly three times as many participants. As application numbers have increased, it has become clear that the first-come, first-served system does not provide equitable access. To better serve community members with limited access to local food, we have restructured our application review process. During the summer and fall of 2025, NOFA-VT staff partnered with an advisory committee of farmers, community members, and service providers to to develop a more equitable and transparent approach to reviewing applications.
This new review process will be implemented for the 2026 spring/summer cycle. Applicants will have one month to submit their application, after which all applications will be reviewed at the same time. Using a rubric that assesses financial need, demographic information, and household information, the review committee will prioritize funding for those facing the greatest barriers to accessing local food.
What are the major changes to the Farm Share Program application process?
- Application period is shortened: Applicants will now have one month to submit their materials, rather than the previous two-month window. For the Spring/Summer cycle, applications will be accepted from February 1–28, and for the Fall/Winter cycle, from August 1–31.
- Application review is no longer first-come, first-served: All applications will be assessed at the same time by NOFA-VT staff after the submission period closes. Each will be scored using a rubric designed to identify and prioritize applicants who face greater barriers to accessing local food. This shift moves the program away from a first-come, first-served model and toward a process that is more equitable, transparent, and responsive to community need.
- Contains new questions assessing financial need: While the application will ask applicants to self-report income and financial status, we will still not require applicants to submit any documentation or proof of income.
- Contains questions about demographics: We’ve added optional demographic questions to the application to help identify applicants who may face additional barriers to accessing local food. Applicants are not required to answer these questions, and choosing not to respond will not affect their overall score. All demographic information will remain confidential and will not be shared outside of the Farm Share program.
- Slightly longer wait time for approval: Because we will review all applications at once, we expect to send notice of funding approvals or waitlist status by early April (spring/summer cycle) or early October (fall/winter cycle).
What's Next?
We are always working to improve the Farm Share Program and will continue evaluating and refining the program as needs arise. Applicants are encouraged to share feedback within the application and through a post-season participant survey. There may also be opportunities in the future to join a committee to help assess and shape the program. If you’re interested in these opportunities or have questions or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].
If you’re interested in participating in the Farm Share Program, you can submit an application online or return a paper application by mail during the month of February. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions in the meantime.