Vermont Regional Conservation Partnership Program Grant

Funder: Vermont Agency of Natural Resources: Department of Environmental Conservation

The Vermont Regional Conservation Partnership Program, funded by a $16 million USDA grant, aims to enhance water quality through financial and technical assistance for farmers and forest landowners. With an additional $10 million extension, the program supports agricultural practices, wetland restoration, and easements. Emphasizing support for smaller operations, it offers 100% payment for eligible practices and easements, ensuring a significant impact on water quality improvement across the state.

NOTE: The winter deadline is for easements and the practices deadline is held in the summer.
Background
The State of Vermont received a $16 million grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in 2015. In 2020, this grant was extended for five years with an additional $10 million in assistance to farmers and forest landowners. This program provides financial and technical assistance for the development and implementation of water quality improvement throughout Vermont. Funds are available for agricultural and forestry best management practices, for wetland restoration, and for agricultural, wetland, and forestry easements.
Unique opportunities through RCPP include the following:
Many practices are covered at a 100% payment rate, based on the NRCS Practice List.If you meet certain practice requirements (e.g. implementing a cover crop early) you may be eligible for an additional incentive payment.RCPP practices are not included in the $450,000 NRCS Farm Bill cap. You have a maximum of $450,000 in RCPP as well.RCPP applications are in a separate funding pool, greatly increasing your chance of funding with less competition.
Program Initiatives
Land Management ActivitiesAgricultural and forestry practices that directly relate to water quality improvement can be funded under RCPP. The list of practices that have been submitted to NRCS and are expected to be approved for funding at 100% of cost is available on the NRCS website. Some examples include grazing practices, cover crops, reduced tillage, stream crossing, forest trails and landings, and tree/shrub establishment.Easements Easements in the RCPP program can be at three levels: highly restrictive (payment is up to 100% of the appraised value), moderately restrictive (up to 75% of appraised value), and minimally restrictive (up to 50% of appraised value.) The landowner selects the level of restriction based on their desired future use of the property.Additionally, any water quality related restoration work done on the land prior to the easement is funded at 100% of cost.Agricultural and Forestry EasementsAgricultural and forestry easements have greater flexibility than traditional NRCS ACEP-ALE (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Ag Land Easement) and can include more forestry protection.Wetland EasementsWetland easements are prioritized based on size, recognizing the need for protection on smaller wetlands (priority is given to projects between 10-50 acres.) Only passive restoration (e.g. tree and shrub plantings) is allowed. Any active restoration projects should consider the ACEP-WRE (Wetland Restoration Easement) program.

Eligibility

All Vermont farm and forest landowners are eligible.