Agriculture Water Quality Support Grant

The Agricultural Water Quality Support Grant is administered by the Oregon Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Water Quality Program, which operates statewide in collaboration with Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Watershed Councils, agricultural producers, and local partners. The program is designed to implement Oregon’s Agricultural Water Quality Management framework, with a central mission to prevent and control water pollution from agricultural activities, reduce soil erosion, and ensure compliance with applicable water quality standards. This grant program was established by legislative direction to build local capacity and support voluntary, non-regulatory efforts aligned with Area Plans and Strategic Implementation Areas. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund activities that enhance agricultural water quality outcomes in small watersheds through planning, assessment, monitoring, outreach, and technical assistance. Funding is explicitly intended to support programmatic and capacity-building efforts rather than direct implementation of on-the-ground restoration projects. Eligible activities include agricultural land condition assessments, water quality monitoring, outreach and engagement initiatives targeting agricultural stakeholders, and technical assistance to landowners. These activities must align with local Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plans and demonstrate clear contributions to reducing non-point source pollution. Grant awards for the current cycle range from 20000 to 149000 dollars per project, and applicants may request funding within this range for eligible activities. The funding does not require a matching contribution, which lowers barriers for eligible applicants. However, there are restrictions on allowable uses, including a prohibition on funding direct restoration implementation activities. Funds are reimbursed based on approved expenses, and applicants must adhere to detailed requirements for eligible costs, documentation, and reporting. Indirect administrative costs are capped at 10 percent of modified total direct costs. Eligibility is limited to Oregon-based Soil and Water Conservation Districts and recognized Watershed Councils or their fiscal sponsors. Applicants must possess appropriate liability insurance and a valid federal tax identification number. Proposals must clearly define goals, objectives, outcomes, and deliverables aligned with water quality improvements. Required application components include a completed application form, budget documentation, supporting statements, and identification of project partners and geographic scope. Applications must be submitted through the designated online portal and include all required attachments, following strict file naming and submission guidelines. Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process conducted by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Review criteria emphasize alignment with program goals, clarity of objectives, stakeholder engagement, and feasibility within the grant period. Proposals that demonstrate collaboration with regional water quality specialists and integration with existing plans are prioritized. The review team ranks applications and recommends awards based on merit and available funding, with final decisions contingent on legislative budget allocations. The application cycle for the 2025–2027 biennium opens on January 8, 2025, and closes on March 5, 2025. Applications are reviewed between March 6 and May 1, with award announcements expected on May 8, 2025. The grant performance period runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Interim reporting is required in August 2026, followed by draft and final completion reports due in June and August 2027, respectively. The program is recurring on a biennial basis, allowing applicants to reapply for subsequent project phases in future cycles. Program oversight includes ongoing monitoring and compliance requirements. Grantees must submit invoices for reimbursement and maintain documentation for all expenditures. Monitoring projects must adhere to strict data quality standards and submit results to state databases within specified timeframes. Technical assistance and outreach activities must directly support agricultural water quality improvements and be tied to measurable objectives. For questions or proposal development support, applicants may contact the program’s Strategic Implementation Area Specialist.

Align proposal clearly with Area Plan goals and measurable objectives; consult with regional water quality specialists prior to submission; ensure strong linkage between activities and water quality outcomes; avoid proposing ineligible implementation activities