Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program

The Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program is administered by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets through its Water Quality Division. This program is funded through the State’s Clean Water Fund, which was established under the Vermont Clean Water Act to support projects that restore, enhance, and protect water quality across the state. The initiative is designed to leverage partnerships with organizations, businesses, and individuals that work directly with farms to improve environmental stewardship and agricultural sustainability. The primary purpose of the program is to provide grant funding for activities that support improved water quality outcomes on Vermont farms. These activities include education and outreach, technical assistance, and organizational capacity development. The program emphasizes projects that build relationships with farmers, promote compliance with agricultural water quality regulations, reduce agricultural source pollution, and enhance the economic and environmental viability of farm operations. Applicants must align their proposed work with at least one of these priority outcomes. Funding under this opportunity totals up to 8 million dollars and is distributed across multiple awards with a maximum performance period of two years. Eligible costs include personnel, training, software, supplies under specified thresholds, and activities directly tied to water quality improvement. Certain expenses such as large equipment purchases, land acquisition, and political advocacy are not allowed. Grants are structured as deliverable-based agreements, meaning payments are issued based on completion of agreed-upon outputs rather than reimbursement of expenses. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes Vermont-based businesses, agricultural service providers, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and local government entities. Individual farms may apply, but funded activities must benefit multiple farms rather than a single operation. State and federal agencies may participate as collaborators but are not permitted to serve as primary applicants. Applicants must also be in good standing with the State of Vermont and compliant with all applicable regulations. The application process requires submission of standardized forms including a grant application, budget workbook, and documentation verifying organizational standing. Applications must be submitted electronically via email by the stated deadline. Proposals are evaluated based on completeness, organizational capacity, watershed-based planning, project scope and impact, and cost effectiveness. Selected applicants must enter into a formal grant agreement and comply with reporting requirements, including semiannual progress reports and a final performance report. For the most recent cycle, applications opened on November 3, 2025, and closed on January 9, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced in March 2026, with project activities running from June 2026 through June 2028. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle tied to state funding allocations, and future funding rounds are anticipated. Questions regarding the program and application process can be directed to the Agricultural Water Quality Program Coordinator via email or phone.

Align projects clearly with priority outcomes and provide measurable outputs and outcomes; demonstrate multi-farm impact; ensure strong budget justification