The Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) Program utilizes state funding to help Vermont farms implement soil-based agronomic practices that improve soil quality, increase crop production, and reduce erosion and agricultural waste discharges. The FAP program also provides education and instructional activity grants to support outreach regarding the impacts of agricultural practices on water quality and current state agricultural water quality regulations. Click here to learn more about the Farm Agronomic Practices program and its benefits to Vermont farmers.
Grants are limited to $10,000 per farm operation per calendar year [January 1- December 31]. Funding rates may change based on program demand and available funding.
Eligible Practices for FAP payments:
- Cover Cropping
- Crop to Hay
- Crop to Hay with Nurse crop
- No Till
- No Till Pasture and Hayland Renovation
- Rotational Grazing
- Manure Injection
- Educational or Instructional Activities
Deadlines:
Activities that occur prior to FAP application approval cannot be compensated for. All applications due at least one month (30 days) prior to practice implementation. All applications to FAP will be reviewed in order of receipt.
The following FINAL deadlines apply for each of the following types of practices:
|
Conservation Practice |
Deadline to Apply |
|
SPRING + YEARLONG Practices |
April 1 |
|
FALL Practices ONLY (e.g. only cover crop and/or fall injection ) |
August 1 |
How to Apply:
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Review the FAP program factsheet.
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Applications which include Rotational Grazing must include a Grazing Plan and Grazing Map/s. If the applicant has a full Grazing Plan developed with NRCS or a Grazing Specialist, submit that. Otherwise, use the VAAFM Grazing Plan Template, which can either be filled in on your computer or printed and filled in by hand. A grazing plan must include:
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Grazing Description and Overview,
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Total Number of Acres Grazed
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Animal Numbers and Forage Requirements and
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Recovery and Rest Period Calculations/Considerations
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Maps that clearly indicate the field boundaries of the acreage/pastures described in the Grazing Plan
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We strongly advise you to submit your application online. However, you can also print or download the application and submit with all other required documentation to AGR.WaterQuality@Vermont.gov or to FAP Program, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620
Grant Recipients:
After an FAP grant agreement has been awarded and signed by all parties, a Claim Form is required to be submitted. If a claim form is not received in a timely manner, the State cannot guarantee payment on the grant.
Conservation Practice Claim Form: This form, also available as the last page of your grant agreement, should be submitted to your grant manager within 30 days of field practice implementation and absolutely no later than January 15 (Fall practices) or July 15 (Spring practices). Below is a PDF and Excel Version of this Claim form for grant recipients.
Rotational Grazing Claim Form: Grazing claim forms should be submitted to your grant manager within 30 days of the end of the grazing season and absolutely no later than November 15. The Grazing Claim Form should be filled out using your grazing records to summarize the season's grazing. Below are a PDF and Excel Version of this Grazing Claim Form for grant recipients.
Agronomic Training Activities:
- FAP Agronomic Training Grant applications must be submitted at least 45 days before activity and will be processed on a first-come-first served basis.