Agency of Agriculture Grants Support Water Quality Efforts on Vermont Farms
November 17, 2023 | Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to announce $7,500,000 available through the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (Ag-CWIP) grant funding opportunity for local and regional partners to provide services for Vermont farms to support the improvement of water quality and climate change mitigation across the state.
Local and regional partners play a vital role in the education, outreach, and implementation of conservation practices that will achieve reductions in nutrient runoff from agricultural operations. Additionally, partners provide a crucial link between state agency programs, federal agency programs and farmers. Ag-CWIP grants provide funding opportunities related to Organizational Capacity Development, Education and Outreach, and Technical Assistance. This funding opportunity is supported through the Clean Water Fund, which was developed as part of Act 64, the Clean Water Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act supporting strategies in the Vermont Climate Action Plan.
Since 2017, Ag-CWIP grants have supported over 30 local and regional partners to expand and enhance education, outreach, and technical assistance services to the agricultural community, contributing to increased trends in conservation.
“These investments will make it more affordable for Vermont’s farmers while improving our environment. These dollars are important long-term investments that support those who are working the land and providing us food.” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture.
“While technical assistance offered through Ag-CWIP funded programs is offered to farms of all types and sizes, more than 75% of on-site assistance since 2018 has been directed to small farm operations,” explained VAAFM Water Quality Assistant Director Nina Gage, “Ag-CWIP supported programs offer critical assistance for farms from nutrient and manure management to grazing system planning and fencing livestock out of water.”
The Request for Proposals opened November 8th, 2023, and applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on December 20, 2023. Eligible applicants include individuals, businesses, and organizations who work with farmers to support conservation efforts.
For the complete Request for Proposals, program details and additional information, please visit agriculture.vermont.gov/agricultural-clean-water-initiative-program, call VAAFM at (802) 828-2431, or email: AGR.WaterQuality@Vermont.gov.