Funding For Graziers
Explore funding opportunities that support and empower graziers in achieving sustainable and productive pasture management.
Navigating Funding Opportunities
At GrassWorks, we understand that navigating funding opportunities can be complicated and overwhelming. However, securing financial support is crucial for advancing sustainable grazing practices, improving farm infrastructure, and ensuring the long-term viability of your operations. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you explore and access various funding resources tailored for graziers.
Enhance Sustainability
Access funds to implement sustainable farming practices that improve soil health and pasture productivity.
Improve Infrastructure
Invest in fencing, watering systems, and other essential infrastructure to optimize your grazing operations.
Boost
Productivity
Trial research, demonstration projects, and innovative practices that enhance farm productivity and profitability.
Community and Environment
Contribute to broader conservation efforts and community-led initiatives that promote environmental stewardship.
NRCS Incentives and Cost Share
The NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) helps graziers achieve their goals by providing financial and technical assistance for conservation practices. Through programs like EQIP and CSP, NRCS supports the implementation of sustainable grazing systems, infrastructure improvements, and resource management plans, ensuring long-term productivity and environmental stewardship.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The EQIP program has been instrumental in providing funding to help many graziers either start their operations or enhance their managed grazing practices to achieve their goals more effectively.
EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on agricultural land. Any farmer engaged in livestock or crop production on qualifying land may apply for EQIP.
EQIP cost share may be available for transitioning land to grazing. Practice Code and Name for common cost share practices. Other practices may be applicable as determined by a grazing planner.
- 528-Prescribed Grazing
- 512-Pasture and Hayland Planting
- 382-Fence
- 516-Livestock Pipeline
- 614- Watering Facility
- 561-Heavy Use Area Protection
- 560-Access Road
You will need a grazing plan written by a certified grazing plan specialist to be eligible for cost share programs.
Grazing Planning
Grazing Specialists and NRCS staff can help develop written grazing plans. A list of grazing specialists across Wisconsin is available at the USDA-NRCS technical service provider website using the filters 528 – Prescribed Grazing and Wisconsin.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
The Conservation Stewardship Program rewards farmers for current good conservation practices.
The NRCS collaborates closely with producers to develop customized conservation plans. These plans build on existing efforts by incorporating new practices and activities that align with your farm’s management goals. The plans are designed to improve water and air quality, soil health, and wildlife habitats, while enhancing agricultural operations.
CSP provides annual payments on a per acre basis for implementing these practices and maintaining existing conservation efforts. Additionally, CSP offers bundled enhancement options that allow you to select a suite of practices, which can result in higher application rankings and higher payment rates. Signups are continuous throughout the year, with specific deadlines for application rankings.
Contact your local county NRCS office for more info or visit the NRCS CSP webpage.
Grants for Farmers
A grant is a financial award provided by a government agency, foundation, or other organization to support specific projects or initiatives. For graziers, grants are particularly useful as they offer funding without the need for repayment, enabling them to invest in improvements and innovations on their farms.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
SARE is a program providing grants to researchers, agricultural educators, farmers and ranchers, and students in the U.S. The Farmer Rancher Grants help farmers answer questions for themselves, on their own farms, by providing some support for the work involved.
Farmers can use the funds to buy a small piece of needed equipment, or some seed, or some other materials needed to be able to compare two or three management systems. Find out more about SARE Farmer Rancher Grant.
DATCP Producer Led Watershed Grants
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) provides Producer Led Watershed Grants to provide support to farmer-led groups to deliver cost share programs, on-farm demonstration and research projects, and education and outreach efforts on conservation systems and innovative practices that improve water quality to farmers and other community members within their local watersheds. For more information, visit the DATCP website.
Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
These USDA grants may be used for planning activities, for working capital to market value-added agricultural products, and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures. Although smaller projects may be funded, multi-year and larger projects can also fit this program, however a large match of funds is required.
For more info about the program, contact your State Rural Development Office at 715-345-7600 or wi-rd-stateoffice@usda.gov or go to the Rural Development website.
Also consider reviewing this National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition publication providing VAPG application guidelines: Farmers’ Guide to Applying for the Value-Added Producer Grant Program
Resource Guides
Resource guides listing USDA funding for Sustainable and Ranching
Federal Working Lands Conservation Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching.
This 1628-page ATTRA guide offers an overview of the major federal conservation programs that provide resources for farmers/ranchers to enhance and maintain sustainable farming and ranching practices. Call 800-346-9140 for a hardcopy or download a copy at the ATTRA Website.
Growing Opportunity: A Guide to USDA Sustainable Farming Programs
This National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition publication provides background on multiple funding sources. Find a copy here.