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.
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.
Eligible projects:
To be eligible for AgCWIP, 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
In the past, AgCWIP has supported projects including services such as, but are not limited to: 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.
How to Apply:
AAFM is not currently accepting applications to this program. A Request For Proposals is typically released on an annual basis in the fall. Learn more about the last Request For Proposals Here:
Full AgCWIP FY24 Request For Proposals
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
QUESTIONS RECEIVED BY VAAFM AND RESPONSES - SFY24 AgCWIP Questions and Answers
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)
Historic Reports:
Learn about Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (AgCWIP) and VAAFM technical assistance and as well as examples of the projects funded through this initiative.
- Education and Outreach Report State FY 202
- Education and Outreach Report State FY 2019
- Education and Outreach Report State FY 2018
- Agricultural Clean Water Investment Report 2018
Resources for Current Grantees:
Reporting for Ag-CWIP TA visits and practice implementation occurs through the Partner Database.