One of the outcomes of the Locally Led Conservation Planning process is our collaboration with partners to secure federal USDA NRCS funding for identified priority natural resource concerns in our county called the Local Fund Pool.

Local Fund Pool - Call for FY26 Applications is now closed.

The Orleans County NRCD engages in a process called Locally Led Conservation Planning. This annual activity involves a series of phases that engages community stakeholders in natural resource planning and the implementation of solutions.

During the process, our Local Work Groups determine the greatest natural resource concerns by getting input from Orleans County residents, farmers, foresters, and land stewards. The information gleaned informs our work at the OCNRCD, impacts the State's priorities, and helps secure federal resources for obligation in the Orleans County Local Fund Pool.

This year, participants in the Local Working Groups identified the Top 3 Priorities for funding from the Local Fund Pool as the following:
1) Slow the Flow - Addressing high flows in the Upper Barton River watershed
2) Slow the Spread - Invasive Species Control
3) Support Small Farms - with forage and soil improvement on hay fields and pastures with lime, carbon and seeding.

These priority areas will each receive $200,000 in funding from NRCS. We are now accepting grant applications. Interested landowners in Orleans County can apply to the Local Fund Pool. The application deadline is August 22, 2025. Applicants must also register with the Farm Service Agency. Funding will be available for the 2026 federal fiscal year through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Projects will be selected based on a ranking process that considers program priorities.

To initiate the application process, please visit the USDA Office in Newport (59 Waterfront Plaza) and ask for a  CPA 1200 application.  You can also download it here. Below also is the First Visit Fact Sheet on what ot bring to register with the FSA.

For more specifics on each fund, click on the box for each priority in the side bar of this page, and/or download the Local Fund Pool Fact Sheets below.

LOCAL FUND POOL FACT SHEETS

Questions? Contact Sarah Damsell: sarah.damsell@orleanscountynrcd.org; 802.624.7008

To learn more about EQIP, click on this link or see the side bar.

To learn more about the Locally Led Conservation Planning process, click on the link below or go to our page here.