By Sonia Howlett, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) Program invests state funds in soil-based agronomic practices to improve soil quality, increase crop production, and reduce erosion and surface runoff from agricultural fields. Grant applications are currently open for spring conservation practices planned to be installed prior to June 30, 2024, such as manure injection ($25/acre), conservation tillage ($15/ac), no-till pasture and hayland renovation ($30/ac) and rotation of cropland into hay ($35/ac or $45/ac if a nurse crop is used).
Funding is limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis, so apply now! Applications are due at least 30 days prior to implementation, and the sooner the better.
You are eligible for these payments IF:
- You are a farm;
- You would implement no till, no till pasture and hayland renovation, crop rotation, or manure injection in the next few months if funded;
- You are not receiving payments for those practices from any other payment program; AND
- You haven’t already hit your $10,000 annual cap with practices paid for through FAP in the fall.
For more information on the FAP program, the payment rates for each practice type, and to apply online, go to http://agriculture.vermont.gov/fap. NOTE: Applications for 2024 grazing and cover crop are not yet open but will be due June 15 for rotational grazing and August 1 for cover crop.
If you have specific questions about practice eligibility or how the FAP program works, you can contact Sonia Howlett by email sonia.howlett@vermont.gov or by phone at 802-522-4655.
Caption: Reduced tillage planting systems reduce soil disturbance, improve organic matter, and help reduce nutrient runoff from agricultural fields.