Maine Farmers Drought Relief Fund Grant

The Department is making grants available to farmers to address the need for agricultural water management plans and the installation of agricultural water sources, including:

• Dug wellsDrilled wellsGravel-packed wellsWater storage ponds
• Overview
• Background and Purpose

The Maine Farmer Drought Relief Fund (FDRF) was created by the Maine Legislature (7 M.R.S.A., Chapter 8-A, subchapter 4 § 220-A(3)) to assist farmers in the State to overcome the adverse effects of drought conditions by providing grants.
The Department will make up to $ 930,000 available for installation of agricultural water sources from nonlapsing funding. An additional $ 300,000 may be available from FY 27 funding after July 1, 2026 and may be used to fund additional projects at the discretion of the Department.
The Department reserves the right to determine the number of awards and modify, partially fund, or increase awards at the Department’s discretion.
Category 1 – Agricultural Water Management Plansup to $ 7,500 as needed to support design and permitting for Category 2 projectsCategory 2 – Agricultural Water Source Development up to 90 percent of the cost for installation of: Installation or deepening of a dug water well – up to $ 15,000Installation of a drilled bedrock well – up to $ 25,000Installation of a gravel-packed well – up to $ 50,000 Installation of a water storage pond – up to $ 50,000