Grassland Reserve Program

Sign-up for this program is on a continuous basis, however, in order to be considered for the initial round of 2013 funding, interested landowners need to submit their applications to NRCS by October 1, 2012. Landowners who are interested in this program can apply at their local county USDA Service Center.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency are coordinating  implementation of GRP, which helps landowners restore, protect, and enhance grassland, pastureland, and certain other lands and provides assistance for rehabilitating grasslands.  The program will conserve vulnerable grasslands from conversion to cropland or other uses.

Priority grasslands targeted include grasslands threatened by both agricultural and non-agricultural development, grasslands that enhance plant and animal biodiversity, and grasslands currently used for grazing operations.

Enrollment options include:

• Permanent Easements.  Payments are based on the fair market value of the property less the grazing value.
• Rental Agreements.  10, 15, or 20 year options are available.
• Restoration Agreements.  50 percent cost share may be placed on land enrolled in an easement or rental contract.

Program Information

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GRP Application Form
GRP Fact Sheet
2012 GRP Easement Ranking Criteria
2012 GRP Rental Contract Ranking Criteria

Making Offers to Landowners

In Vermont, offers are made to easement applicants based on a Geographic Area Rate Cap or GARC. The GARCs for Vermont were developed by completing a market analysis of land recently sold in each county that is similar to the lands that the NRCS acquires through this program. This market survey was completed by a local realtor and appraiser. For the analysis, lands were placed into three categories: 1) land with few to moderate limitations for either development or agriculture; 2) land with severe limitations for development but slight to moderate limitations for agriculture, such as floodplains; and 3) land with severe limitations for both development and agriculture. The GARC is based on 75% of Fair Market value in each category minus the grazing value, on a region basis - Lake Champlain Region or Connecticut Region. Determining what category your land is in means determining the soil types you have on the land you've enrolled in the program. You most likely have more than one soil type on your land and therefore multiple category GARCs, so your offer will be based on the percent soils in each category.

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2012 GRP Geographic Area Rate Caps

Click here to locate a soils map of your land.

Links to Other Useful Information

Electronic application filing is available through the Electronic Government website.

For additional local information or to apply, contact your Local NRCS Office.

VT NRCS Office Locations and Contact Information

More GRP Information (National NRCS Website)

Contact

Katura Wright

Phone: 802-951-6796 x-228

Email: Katura.Wright@vt.usda.gov

Kathryn Haykey    
Phone: 802-951-6796 x-248
Email: Kathryn.Hakey@vt.usda.gov