The purpose of this agreement, between the U.S. Department of agriculture and nrcs and vacd is to assist with program delivery and I mplementation of statewide

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) a Cooperative Agreement totaling $180,000.00 under the Soil and Water Conservation program (CFDA 10.902) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. VACD will deliver statewide technical support and administrative services to advance conservation program implementation across Vermont, including water quality initiatives, Geographic Information System (GIS) services, and conservation technical assistance (CTA) to support multiple Farm Bill programs.

Under this agreement, VACD will provide a comprehensive range of conservation program support services, including technical assistance and administrative coordination for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). As a critical intermediary between NRCS and Vermont's local conservation stakeholders, VACD will leverage its technical expertise, administrative capacity, and geospatial technologies to support landowners and conservation districts in implementing sustainable natural resource management practices focused on soil and water conservation objectives.