Vermont Farm Agronomic Practices Grant (FAP)

The Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) Program provides Vermont farms with grants to install soil conservation practices. Grants are limited to $10,000 per farm operation per calendar year (January 1–December 31). There is no competitive review process — funding is awarded in the order applications are received (applying does not guarantee funding). The FAP program also provides farms and service providers with Agronomic Training grants to attend trainings on agricultural water-quality regulations and/or the impacts of agricultural practices on water quality.

Eligible practices (Vermont farms subject to the Required Agricultural Practices and in Good Standing with the State): Cover Crop, Crop to Hay, No Till, No-Till Pasture and Hayland Renovation, Rotational Grazing, and Manure Injection.

Practice payment rates (last updated for Calendar Year 2026; rates may change annually with demand/funding):

• Cover Crop: $55/acre if planted before Oct 1, or $40/acre if planted before Oct 10.

• Crop to Hay Rotation: $60/acre.

• Rotational Grazing: $30/acre.

• No Till Crop Planting: $15/acre.

• No-Till Pasture and Hayland Renovation: $30/acre.

• Manure Injection: $30/acre.

• Vermont farms required to comply with the Required Agricultural Practices are eligible to apply for practice assistance.

• Organizations and businesses providing educational events for Vermont farms are eligible to apply for educational or instructional activity assistance.

Apply online. Practices installed before applying to FAP cannot be reimbursed. All applications are due at least 30 days prior to practice implementation and are reviewed in the order received (submitting does not guarantee a grant agreement).

Deadlines: SPRING + YEARLONG practices — apply by April 1; FALL practices only (fall cover crop and/or fall manure injection) — apply by August 1. Submit one application for all practices planned January 1–December 31.

If applying for rotational grazing, develop a Grazing Plan (NRCS/VAAFM template) and grazing map(s). To request a PDF or mailed copy of the application, email AGR.WaterQuality@Vermont.gov at least 2 weeks before the deadline; completed applications may be emailed to the same address or mailed to FAP Program, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620. Reimbursement claim forms must be submitted no later than December 15 (up to twice per year, spring and summer/fall).

• Fact Sheet

• Program Information and Practice Requirements