Purpose:
The Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (AgCWIP) from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) Water Quality Division provides grants to local and regional partners to work with farms to support the improvement of water quality across the state of Vermont through education and outreach, technical assistance, organizational capacity development, and conservation practice surveys.
AgCWIP has supported a variety of projects that promote water quality and conservation on Vermont farms. Past projects include activities such as: Hosting educational events and workshops, supporting farms with grant applications and reporting, Nutrient Management Planning, conservation project identification, consultation and design, precision agriculture training, equipment rental programs, sampling (water, soil, manure), conservation practice surveys, and more.
Grant recipients are required to report routinely to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Outcomes of these agreements are cumulatively included in the VAAFM Water Quality Division Annual Report and the Vermont Clean Water Initiative Reports.
Current and past AgCWIP Awards and Agreements are summarized below:
FY 2024 Awards and Summaries:
- University of Vermont Extension (UVM) - $3,126,268 Funding supports organizational capacity development, education and outreach, and technical assistance to farms across Vermont. Activities are conducted through UVM Extensions five delivery teams; Agricultural Business Team, Center for Sustainable Agriculture Team, Champlain Valley Crops, Soils, Pasture Team, Northwest Crops and Soils Team, and the Vegetable and Berry Team. This award is partially funded with American Rescue Plan Act Funds related to efforts outlined in Vermont’s Climate Action Plan. To learn more about UVM Extension: https://www.uvm.edu/extension
- Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Council (NRCC) - $2,500,000 Funding supports organizational capacity development, education and outreach, and technical assistance to farms in all 14 VT counties. Funding to NRCC is sub-awarded to 13 local Natural Resources Conservation Districts. To learn more and find your local Natural Resources Conservation District: https://www.vacd.org/contact-nrcds/
- Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, Inc. (CVFC) - $551,470 Funding supports organizational capacity development, education and outreach, and technical assistance to farms primarily in the Champlain Valley as well as coordination efforts among farmer watershed groups across the State. To learn more about the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition: https://cvfc-vt.com/
- Farmer Watershed Alliance (FWA) - $356,910 Funding supports organizational capacity development, education and outreach, and technical assistance to farms primarily in Northwestern Vermont related to general agricultural water quality conservation topics as well as precision agriculture initiatives. To learn more about the Farmer Watershed Alliance: https://www.farmerswatershedalliance.org/
- American Farmland Trust (AFT) - $242,163 Funding supports education, outreach, and technical assistance to farms in Vermont. Activities supported through this grant are focused on climate resiliency planning on farms, water quality practices, and economic planning. This award is funded with American Rescue Plan Act Funds related to Vermont’s Climate Action Plan. To learn more about the American Farmland Trust: https://farmland.org/about/how-we-work/new-england-regional-office/
- Northeast Organic Farmer Association (NOFA-VT) - $163,375 Funding supports education, outreach, and technical assistance to organic and non-organic farms in Vermont related to water quality, as well as related to climate resiliency planning on farms. To learn more about the Northeast Organic Farmer Association: https://www.nofavt.org/
- Vermont Grass Farmers Association (VGFA) - $135,759 Funding supports organizational capacity development, education, and outreach related to grass farming and agronomic grazing practices on Vermont farms. To learn more about the Vermont Grass Farmers Association: https://www.vtgrassfarmers.org/
FY 2023 Awards
Note: The FY2023 funding opportunity was specific to Organizational Capacity Development activities
- Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Council - $218,370
- University of Vermont Extension (Center of Sustainable Agriculture) - $143,060
- Northeast Organic Farmer Association - $126,000
- University of Vermont Extension (Northwest Crops and Soils) - $100,000
- Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition - $85,000
- Scott Magnan Custom Service - $15,000
- Friends of Northern Lake Champlain - $12,370 (https://www.friendsofnorthernlakechamplain.org/ )
FY 2022 Awards
- Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Council - $2,300,000
- University of Vermont Extension - $1,364,024
- Vermont Association of Conservation Districts - $700,000 (https://www.vacd.org/ )
- Poultney-Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District - $402,400
- Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition - $355,413
- University of Vermont Extension (Center of Sustainable Agriculture) - $91,539
- Addison County River Watch Collaborative - $54,032 (https://addison-county-river-watch-collaborative-1-acrpc.hub.arcgis.com/ )
- Missisquoi River Basin Association - $47,630 (https://www.mrbavt.com/ )
- Scott Magnan Custom Service - $21,160
Eligibility:
Eligible Applicants include Vermont businesses such as farm operations or agricultural associations, local government entities, public or private schools or other educational institutions, and non-profit organizations working with Vermont farms. State and federal agencies can collaborate with these groups but cannot be the primary applicant.
A note for farmers: Funding made available through AgCWIP is prioritized to provide impact and benefit to multiple farm operations via a community/organizational level rather than an individual farm level. Individual farms are eligible, but the activities that are eligible for funding are services provided to more than one farm. For example, if a farm wanted to mentor other farms or host a workshop series on their farm, they may choose to seek financial support through this funding program. If you are a farm seeing cost-share for an individual conservation project, please visit the Water Quality Assistance Programs webpage.
Eligible Projects must address one or more of the following priority outcomes to improve statewide water quality:
- Regulatory compliance of Vermont farms with state and federal water quality regulations
- Non-point-source pollution reduction on Vermont farms
- Practices that improve climate resiliency and mitigation and/or soil health on Vermont farms
- Economic and environmental viability of Vermont farms
How to Apply:
AAFM is not currently accepting applications to this program. Past Requests For Proposals:
Full AgCWIP FY24 Request For Proposals
Contact:
Mary Montour, Agricultural Water Quality Program Coordinator
Mary.Montour@Vermont.gov or (802) 461-6087
Historic Project Examples:
Grantee Spotlight - Champlain Valley Farmer's Coalition
Grantee Spotlight - University of Vermont Extension (Northwest Crops and Soils Team)
Resources for Current Grantees:
Reporting for Ag-CWIP TA visits and practice implementation occurs through the Partner Database.
