Local Fund Pool FY27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Caledonia County NRCD Announces Local Fund Pool for Ridge-to-Valley Resilience Projects to "Slow and Sink" Water

The Caledonia County Natural Resources Conservation District (CCNRCD) is pleased to announce locally led conservation funding for private landowners, farmers, and land stewards to build Ridge-to-Valley Resilience through the implementation of specific conservation practices in fields and forests across the county. This project addresses natural resource concerns identified and prioritized by our community through the locally led process. Funding comes from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Learn more about VT-NRCS here.

Conservation practices included in this Local Fund Pool are based on priorities identified in by our community through listening sessions, surveys, interviews, and focus groups conducted by the Caledonia County NRCD in 2025 and 2026. Voices included farmers, gardeners, forest stewards, residents, and technical service providers who live and/ or work in Caledonia County. For more information about Local Working Groups and the Locally Led Process, click here.

The deadline to apply for all NRCS programs is September 25, 2026!

Eligibility and Steps to Apply:

Map of Vermont highlighting Caledonia County in yellow with adjacent counties labeled. — The Caledonia County Natural Resources Conservation District includes all land area within Caledonia County, Vermont. Many counties offer USDA- NRCS Local Fund Pools within their geographic boundaries. Some Districts may offer fund pools by watershed area or across counties.

1. Determine Eligibility

You must establish records with the Farm Service Agency. Call (802) 424-3144 to get your Farm & Tract numbers.

Who can apply: Individuals, entities, Indian Tribes, and water management entities operating privately-owned or leased agriculture or forest land within Caledonia County. There is no upper or lower acreage limit. You must certify that you meet the adjusted gross income (AGI) and payment limitation requirements annually and stay in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements to receive USDA financial assistance.

Additional information about eligibilty and application requirements.

2. (Optional) Contact your Local Conservation District

Contact the Caledonia County NRCD to set up a technical assistance consultation. We will help you determine which programs and practices are best suited for your operation. Email taylor@caledoniacountynrcd.org for assistance.

3. Submit an Application by September 25, 2026

Complete and file the NRCS 1200 form to your local NRCS Service Center. On Question 2, be sure to select "EQIP"

If you need assistance, Caledonia County NRCD staff can help you prepare and submit an application. Applications can also be completed over the phone.

4. Wait for an NRCS or Partner Conservation Planner to Contact You

After submitting an application, you should receive an email or phone call within two weeks to confirm receipt of your Request for Service. It may be several weeks to months until a Conservation Planner meets with you at your farm to discuss your projects, depending on staff workload and the season. Planning and ranking of all EQIP applications for Fiscal Year 2027 will be finished in early spring of that year. Award annoucements for projects that have been selected for funding will occur from May to September of 2027.

It is always okay to check in with your local office for a status update!

Local Fund Pool Practices:

Projects eligible for the 2027 Ridge-to-Valley Resilience local fund pool must include at least ONE of the following primary practices-

... and/ or any of the following supporting practices:

More information about the design and implementation requirements of these practices, as well as associated Payment Schedules, can be found on the USDA NRCS-VT website.

NRCS Conservation Practice Standards

NRCS Payment Schedules