Producer-led watershed grants available to groups
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for 2025 Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants. These grants are awarded to producer-led groups to help support and advance producer-led conservation solutions, and farmer participation in local watershed conservation efforts.
The program budget for 2025 is $1 million. Eligible groups that apply can receive up to $40,000. The grants aim to help farmers find and promote conservation solutions best suited for their watershed, based on topography, soil, types of operations and other factors that differ among regions of the state.
“Across Wisconsin, producers maintain and improve the state’s soil and water resources,” said DATCP secretary Randy Romanski. “The producer-led program is yet another tool that producers can utilize, as they maintain and improve those efforts. The positive outcomes of these conservation efforts will continue to have a positive effect for years to come.”
Applicants must be groups of at least five farmers whose farms are in the same or adjacent watershed. Each farm must have produced at least $6,000 in gross farm revenue last year, or $18,000 over the past three years. Each group must partner with a county land conservation department, the University of Wisconsin-Extension or a non-profit conservation organization.
Newly formed and established groups are eligible to apply.
Grant information and application materials are available at datcp.wi.gov. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 13.
