IMPORTANT: Farm Agronomic Practice (FAP) applications which include Rotational Grazing are due June 15, 2022.
The 2022/2023 Field Agronomic Practices (FAP) program from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is now open to support conservation practices planned between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. All Vermont farms are eligible to apply, applicants are reviewed on first-come first-served basis and the application/paperwork is relatively straightforward, so don’t wait - apply now! NOTE: FAP cannot fund the same practice on the same field that you are already receiving payment for under another state or federal agreement, such as EQIP or CSP.
Rotational Grazing payments have increased to $30/acre this year and compensate for fields where (ruminant) livestock are excluded from surface water and rotated at least twice per week, with at least three inches residual vegetation left after grazing. A grazing plan and map(s) of your pastures must be submitted with your rotational grazing application. A good grazing plan will help you understand how much forage your animals need and how to time your rotations to support adequate regrowth of your pastures at different times of the year. You can reach out to a local grazing specialist or your local NRCS office for help with grazing planning, or you can develop your own grazing plan for the FAP program at THIS LINK. Apply NOW if your application includes rotational grazing – grazing applications are due June 15.
Grazers may also be interested in installing No Till Pasture and Hayland Renovation, which pays $20/acre for fields where legumes and grasses are drilled directly into sod to improve forage density and quality in pasture or hay fields. FAP can also fund the installation of Cover Crop ($30/acre broadcast or interseeded, $45/acre drilled or otherwise incorporated), Crop to Hay conversion ($35/acre, or $45/acre if a nurse crop is used), No Till planting of annual crops ($15/acre), and Manure Injection ($25/acre). The annual payment cap is $8,000 per farm per year.
For more information on the FAP program requirements or to print a PDF application form, go to agriculture.vermont.gov/fap. If you have any questions about the FAP program or need help applying, please feel free to reach out to me at Sonia.Howlett@vermont.gov or (802) 522-4655.