The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has announced an $8 million grant opportunity through the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (AGCWIP). The funding is intended for local and regional partners who work with Vermont farms to support water quality improvements throughout the state.
According to VAAFM, these partners are key in helping farms implement conservation practices that reduce nutrient runoff. The AGCWIP grants are aimed at strengthening organizations that offer education, outreach, and technical assistance to farmers.
“These are important long-term investments to improve water quality that support those who are working the land and providing us food,” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture. “Our farmers have contributed greatly to reductions in phosphorus pollution over the last 10 years, and these grants are a contributor to that success.”
Since its launch in 2017, AGCWIP has funded more than 30 local and regional groups, which has led to expanded educational and technical services for farms and an increase in on-farm conservation efforts. Nina Gage, VAAFM Water Quality Assistant Director, noted, “While technical assistance offered through AGCWIP-funded programs is available to farms of all types and sizes, more than 80% of on-site assistance since 2020 has been directed to small farm operations. AGCWIP-supported programming offers critical assistance for Vermont’s small farms, from nutrient and manure management to grazing system planning, fencing livestock out of water, and more.”
The Request for Proposals for this new round of AGCWIP funding will open in early November 2025. Individuals, businesses, and organizations that work directly with Vermont farmers are eligible to apply. Further details will be available at agriculture.vermont.gov/agricultural-clean-water-initiative-program.
The AGCWIP program is funded by Vermont’s Clean Water Fund, which was established as part of Act 64—the Clean Water Act—enacted in 2015. This legislation introduced new rules for water quality protection and revised agricultural practices for farms across Vermont.
VAAFM is marking ten years since the passage of Act 64 by highlighting progress made by the agriculture sector. The agency has developed a story map in collaboration with the University of Vermont Rubenstein School for the Environment, which details key milestones and trends related to water quality improvements over the past decade. The story map is available at agriculture.vermont.gov/10-years-vts-clean-water-act.
The agency also invites public feedback on Vermont’s draft State Fiscal Year 2027 Clean Water Budget. Residents can participate by attending a public hearing in Montpelier on November 7, 2025, sending comments via email to ANR.CleanWaterVT@vermont.gov with the subject line “Clean Water Budget Comment,” or completing a budget questionnaire. VAAFM staff are available for questions about submitting comments and can be reached by email at AGR.WaterQuality@Vermont.gov or by phone at 802-828-2431.
“With support through AGCWIP, technical assistance providers assess how to improve water quality, develop conservation plans to update farm practices, present those options to farmers, and provide support to secure funding and support project installation.”
