Capital Equipment Assistance Program Financial assistance for equipment to aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters and improve water quality

Capital Equipment Assistance Program Financial assistance for equipment to aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters and improve water quality is sponsored by State of Vermont. <a class="widget__inner text-center text-black text-bold display-flex flex-column flex-justify-start height-full border-2px border-transparent radius-md margin-neg-2px" href Category: Environment.

The Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP) provides state grant funding for new or used innovative equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters, improve water quality of state waters, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, mitigate greenhouse gases, and reduce costs to farmers when they apply manure.

CEAP can fund up to 90% of the cost of the purchase and setup of approved equipment, not including shipping, freight, and/or travel fees. The grantee must provide the remaining 10% of project cost. Other grants can be used to fulfil this match requirement.

* Vermont Farms required to comply with the Required Agricultural Practices * Custom Operators or other entities that provide agricultural services to Vermont farms * Non-Profit Organizations Each individual farm operation, organization, or business entity may only submit one application per funding opportunity.

To be eligible for funding through the Capital Equipment Assistance Program, equipment must have a clear water quality benefit and use of the equipment must post minimal water quality or erosion risks. Manure tankers, manure pumps, manure spreaders, compost spreaders, tractors, skid steers, tires and any equipment that performs full width tillage, deep tillage or soil inversion are NOT eligible for CEAP.

Applications to CEAP should fall in one of the following categories: #### Precision Agriculture (grants up to $25,000) Purpose:To improve nutrient management planning and to reduce runoff on crops, hay and/or pasture through precision technology.

Examples of eligible equipment: * Central Tire Inflation control system * Precision Planting, Fertilizing or Feeding Equipment #### Conservation Tillage (grants up to $50,000) Purpose: To reduce the frequency or intensity of tillage operations. Examples of eligible equipment: * No Till Grain Drill for small grains or pastures/hayland #### Cover Crop (grants up to $50,000) Purpose: To increase or improve cover cropping implementation.

Examples of eligible equipment: * No Till Grain Drill for planting cover crop #### Liquid Waste Management (grants up to $70,000 per farmer or group of farmers; grants up to $150,000 per custom applicator) Purpose: To reduce nutrient runoff, improve efficiency, and follow Nutrient Management Plan recommendations when applying liquid waste.

Examples of eligible equipment: * Waste irrigation equipment * Dragline hoses and reels * Flowmeters, Manure Sensors Additional considerations:A GPS, Flow Meter & Display Unit must be used at all times with liquid waste equipment. Grantees must include cost of precision system in application if they need to purchase that system in order to meet this requirement.

#### Bedded Pack Management (grants up to $50,000) Purpose: To enable or improve intentional and effective management of bedded packs Examples of eligible equipment: * Bedded Pack Tillage Equipment Additional considerations: To be eligible for bedded pack management equipment through CEAP, grantees must commit to managing their existing bedded pack(s) according to AAFM Bedded Pack Best Management Practices (link to come).

A field visit from AAFM engineers will be required for bedded pack management projects prior to granting. #### Feed Management (grants up to $50,000) Purpose: To address silage leachate issues in feed bunks Examples of eligible equipment: * Balers/Wrappers to enable feed bunk decommissioning Additional considerations: Feed management equipment grants are intended as a least-cost alternative to an engineered sileage leachate project.

To be eligible/competitive, applicant must have an existing feed bunk with silage leachate concerns. Grantee will be required to no longer store loose or packed feed in that bunk if issued a grant. A field visit from AAFM engineers will be required for Feed Management projects prior to granting.

**NEW: 2027 Grant Applications are due July 15, 2026. ** All grant applications must include the following REQUIRED components: * **Complete Questionnaire in Word version or PDF version** * **1-2 reputable quote/s for the requested equipment. **Note that shipping or freight costs may be listed on your quote but are not eligible for financial assistance.

* **Complete Application** * Some types of application need additional documentation: * IF applying for equipment to reduce silage leachate or to improve bedded pack management, reach out to Emma. Eason@vermont. gov to request a site visit of your existing silos/bunkers or bedded pack.

* _**Letter(s) of Support**are optional. Letters of support are especially recommended for custom applicators or farmers applying for shared equipment. _ If you prefer to print your applications, download a printable or fillable PDF application packet here.

This packet includes the application and questionnaire in PDF form. Remember that a quote must be submitted as well. Paper/PDF applications may be submitted by email to AGR.

WaterQuality@vermont. gov or mailed to VAAFM CEAP Program, 116 State St Montpelier VT 05620. Please try to include ALL application components in the same email/envelope.

_Assistance is available for the application process. Please contact your local conservation districtor reach out to AGR. WaterQuality@Vermont.

govif you need help. _ More questions? Review theFrequently Asked Questions before reaching out with additional questions via email toAGR.

WaterQuality@Vermont. gov UVM Factsheet on CEAP Equipment for Vegetable Farms: CEAP for Vermont Vegetable Farms Interested in a manure injection toolbar?

Make sure you choose a model that will work for you: Manure Injector Considerations ## Resources for CEAP Grant Recipients CEAP grant agreements have a length of 5 years, during which grantees are expected to maintain and continue using the equipment as described in the initial application. AAFM program staff will visit the grantee’s farm 1-2 times during this period to check on the equipment.

#### **CEAP recipients are required to report equipment usage for the first three (3) years of the grant. ** This reporting requirement exists so the CEAP program can demonstrate cost-effective investments in getting conservation practices on the ground and to improve water quality on farms.

CEAP is a competitive grant program, and a major consideration of the ranking and review process is the scale and impact of conservation committed to in the application. Recipients must report in the format specified in their grant agreement. **Annual Acreage Reports:**These must be submitted accompanied by all corresponding **maps**.

Annual Acreage Report (Printable)Annual Acreage Report (Excel) If you did not meet your committed acreage, when you submit your report and maps you must also submit a written **justification** explaining why you did not meet your commitment this year, and what will you do next year to meet your commitment.

**Annual Narrative Reports:** For some equipment funded through CEAP, a narrative report is more appropriate to capture the impact of the equipment on farm management and water quality. These must be submitted accompanied by at least one photo demonstrating the equipment’s use.

CEAP Annual Narrative Report (Printable)CEAP Annual Narrative Report (Word) **Annual Usage Reports cover a calendar year and must be submitted annually by January 15th to the contact listed below. ** Email:AGR. WaterQuality@Vermont.

gov Mail: VAAFM CEAP Program, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620-2901