June 19, 2019 | Montpelier VT - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to release a round of funding for the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (Ag CWIP) to support agricultural water quality programs that address Vermont water quality. Local and regional partners play a vital role in the education, outreach, and technical assistance for farmers as well as verification of conservation practices that will achieve reductions in nutrient runoff from agricultural operations. Additionally, partners provide a critical link between state agency programs, federal agency programs and landowners.
VAAFM is releasing a Request For Proposals (RFP) for agricultural water quality programs that address the following priority outcomes to improve water quality in Vermont:
- regulatory compliance;
- agricultural non-point source pollution reduction;
- economic and environmental viability on Vermont farms.
Eligible activity areas include organizational development, conservation equipment maintenance, as well as on-farm conservation practice surveys. Eligible recipients include non-profit organizations, farm associations, and businesses. Proposals are due by August 1, 2019 to AGR.WaterQuality@Vermont.gov. Funding for Ag-CWIP Grants is made possible through the Clean Water Fund, which was developed as part of Act 64, the Clean Water Act.
“The Agency provides a number of services to support farmers in making water quality improvements statewide. This program helps provide partner businesses and organizations with the tools and resources they need to run conservation programs and impact change at the local level. We are excited to see how the Agency can continue to support our local partners across the State,” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
To download the Request for Proposals, learn about program details and additional information visit https://agriculture.vermont.gov/agricultural-clean-water-initiative-program.
For question please contact:
Nina Gage | VAAFM Water Quality Division
802-622-4098 | Nina.Gage@Vermont.gov