Local Fund Pools

One of the outcomes of the Locally Led Conservation process is to secure federal USDA NRCS funding for identified priority natural resource concerns in Conservation Districts through Local Fund Pools.

Applications are due August 22, 2025.

Bennington County NRCD

Bennington County Agroforestry and Flood Resilience EQIP Local Fund Pool

  • $250,000 available
  • Goal: to promote and incentivize the completion of Agroforestry and Flood Resilience projects in Bennington County on 1000 acres of private land by 2035.
  • Apply and learn more.

Caledonia County NRCD

Community-Scale Agricultural Resiliency Local Fund Pool

  • $200,000 available
  • Funding will support community-scale agricultural resiliency projects including high & low tunnel systems, conservation crop rotation, conservation cover, irrigation pipeline, micro irrigation system, irrigation water management, and soil carbon amendment.
  • Apply and learn more.

Franklin County NRCD

Farmstead & Infrastructure Improvements Local Fund Pool

  • $1,500,000 available
  • Funding will support infrastructure improvements that are critical to water quality, regulatory compliance, and long-term farm viability in Franklin County.
  • Apply and learn more.

Grand Isle County NRCD

Soil Health Local Fund Pool

  • $300,000 available
  • Funding will support Grand Isle County farmers and landowners to implement soil health practices such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, and reduced tillage.
  • Goal: Create and maintain healthy soils which are essential for water quality, carbon storage, biodiversity, and food security.
  • Apply and learn more.

Lamoille County NRCD

Forest Structure and Health Local Fund Pool

  • $200,000 available
  • Funding will support forest landowners in Lamoille County through technical assistance to enhance forest health, biodiversity, and economic resilience. 
  • To apply and learn more, contact Sarah Skelding, Agriculture Program Specialist at lccd.ag.ss@gmail.com.

Orleans County NRCD

Slow the Flow Local Fund Pool

  • $200,000 available
  • Funding will support projects that stabilize headwater areas to achieve cleaner water, reduce pollution, improve runoff management, enhance habitats, and increase flood resilience.
  • Objectives:
    • Install conservation practices on at least 6 landowners’ properties.
    • Restore streams and riparian areas by at least 2,500 linear feet.
  • Apply and learn more.

Slow the Spread Local Fund Pool

  • $200,000 available
  • Funding will support projects that slow the spread of invasive plants specifically by targeting smaller infestations of phragmites, bush honeysuckle, Japanese knotweed, common barberry, and glossy buckthorn.
  • Objectives:
    • Collaborate with at least 30 landowners to reduce the size and number of 100 already established infestations.
    • Achieve at least 80% depletion of biomass in treated areas compared to baseline data.
  • Apply and learn more.

Support Small Farms Local Fund Pool

  • $200,000 available
  • Funding will allow OCNRCD to work with partners to utilize and expand the district’s existing Nutrient Management Planning technical assistance programming which is funded by VAAFM.
  • Objectives:
    • Conduct targeted outreach to engage with at least 50 small farmers.
    • Assist 15 small-scale farmers in implementing conservation practices.
    • Provide tailored conservation practices by developing and implementing 15 customized conservation plans that improve agricultural productivity and environmental responsibility.
  • Apply and learn more.

Poultney Mettowee & Rutland NRCDs

Conservation Efforts in Rutland County Local Fund Pool

  • $500,000 available
  • Funding will support pasture and hay planting, early successional habitat management, trails and walkways, watering facility, and/or critical area planting.
  • Goals: 
    • Reduce erosion
    • Promote soil health and healthy crops
    • Restore native plant communities
  • To apply and learn more, email whitney@pmnrcd.org or call 802.779.4521.

White River & Ottauquechee NRCDs

Conservation Planning Local Fund Pool

  • $75,000 available
  • Funding will support access to high-quality, upfront conservation planning for residents of the White River and Ottauquechee Conservation Districts.
  • Apply and learn more.

Windham County NRCD

Forest Management Plans Local Fund Pool

  • $25,000 available
  • Goal: encourage landowners in stewarding land that is crucial for the health of our forests, our wildlife, our people and our economy
  • Apply and learn more.

Forest Health Local Fund Pool

  • $350,000 available
  • Funding will support cost-share practices that help landowners maintain and improve the health of forested land. 
  • Goal: encourage landowners in stewarding land that is crucial for the health of our forests, our wildlife, our people and our economy 
  • Apply and learn more.

Small Agriculture Local Fund Pool

  • $200,000 available
  • Funding will assist small farms with projects that target soil quality limitations, degraded plan condition, pest pressure, concentrated erosion and weather resilience. 
  • Goals:
    • Assist farms as they build the tools and resources they need to bolster themselves against extreme weather events and ever changing economies.
    • Support cost-sharing practices that allow small diversified operations spend more time and resources on growing their businesses in a strategic manner.
  • Apply and learn more.

Winooski NRCD

Stream & Riverside Plantings Local Fund Pool

  • $200,000 available
  • Funding will support stream or riverside plantings in the district. These funds will pay for all aspects of the plantings, from site preparation to the plantings themselves.
  • Apply and learn more.