Vermont Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (AgCWIP)

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 Vermont through education and outreach, technical assistance, and organizational capacity development. Past projects have included hosting educational events and workshops, supporting farms with grant applications and reporting, Nutrient Management Planning, conservation project identification and design, precision agriculture training, equipment rental programs, sampling (water, soil, manure), and conservation practice surveys.

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 but cannot be the primary applicant. Funding is prioritized to benefit multiple farm operations at the community, regional, or statewide level rather than an individual farm project; individual farms are eligible applicants, but funded activities must benefit more than one farm. Eligible projects must address one or more priority outcomes: Agricultural Water Quality Regulatory Compliance; Agricultural Source Pollution Reduction; and Economic and Environmental Viability of Vermont farms.

Grant recipients are required to report routinely to VAAFM. The FY2026 opportunity made up to $8 million available, with an expected grant performance timeframe of June 2026 - June 2028 (2 years).

Applications are submitted through the Agency's WebGrants system. The State FY2026 funding opportunity (up to $8 million available) closed January 9, 2026; the expected grant performance timeframe was June 2026 - June 2028 (2 years). VAAFM is not currently accepting applications. For questions on the Request for Grant Applications, contact Mary Montour, Agricultural Water Quality Program Coordinator, at Mary.Montour@vermont.gov or (802) 461-6087.