Water Quality Grants

Grant Overview 

The Viability Program provides grants of up to $40,000 to help Vermont farmers invest in water quality-related on-farm infrastructure. The 2023 Grant Round is funded by Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, but VHCB reserves the right to use other funding sources if necessary. All grantees will be required to comply with VHCB and Federal ARPA requirements.

Eligible Applicants

Any Vermont farm with a gross farm income of $15,000 or more that is required to comply with Vermont’s Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs). 

Eligible Projects

Projects to make on-farm capital improvements that also have direct, positive impacts on water quality are eligible for funding. The following types of projects have been funded in the past: 

• Construction, renovation, or upgrades to farm infrastructure
• Purchase of equipment that will be used frequently; is essential to the business; cannot be rented; and leads to innovative farm practices (*Note: Applications for equipment must include a price quote).

A minimum of one-to-one match funding is required. Match can be in the form of state or federal grants. Match can also be in the form of cash, loans, or in-kind labor from the applicant but is not required to be.

Awards will be paid on a reimbursement basis upon the receipt of project invoices. 

Read about previously awarded Water Quality Grants in FY 2022. 

DEADLINE

This year's water quality grant Applications closed January 2023. Please check in fall 2024 for details of next round.

Application Materials

2023 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & APPLICATION QUESTIONS: Please read before beginning your application. Application questions are available in the instructions here if you'd like to use them for reference, but please complete the application through the VHCB online portal. Details on completing the application will be available fall 2024. 

open grants

If you have an open VHCB Water Quality Grant and would like to request disbursement of funds, have an update on your project, or have other questions please reach out to Betsy McGavisk at @email or 802-828-5562.

Funds may be disbursed once the project is complete and once invoices demonstrating that the award amount and the required match has been spent. Partial disbursements are available in extenuating circumstances, and please be in touch if you would like more information.