Vermont 2007 Grassland Reserve Program

Until further notice, no applications for this program are being accepted. Nationally, this program has reached its statutory limit.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Forest Service  are coordinating  implementation of GRP, which helps landowners restore and protect 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 provide habitat to threatened and endangered plant and animal species, 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.
• 30-year Easements.  The landowner is paid 30 percent of the cost of a permanent easement.
• Rental Agreements.  10, 15, 20, or 30 year options are available.  Seventy-five percent of the grazing value will be paid in annual payments for the length of the agreement.
• Restoration Agreements.  Up to 90 percent of the restoration cost on grassland or shrub land that has never been cultivated and not more than 75 percent on restored grassland or shrub land that has been cultivated.

National guidance requires that the land offered for GRP must include at least 40 contiguous acres.  Vermont has requested authorization to reduce the size for program eligibility to parcels of 10contiguous acre of agricultural land or 20 contiguous acres of non agricultural wildlife land due to urbanization, loss of farmland, typical topography and farm field configurations within the state.

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat

Vermont GRP Policies

Vermont GRP Rental Rates by County

Vermont GRP Ranking Sheet 

Vermont GRP step-by-Step application Process 

Vermont Supplement for Native Grass Plantings (85 kb)

Program Information

These documents require Adobe Acrobat

Fact Sheet
Questions and Answers
Key Points

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

Vicky.Drew    
Phone: 802-951-6796 x-242
Email: vicky.drew@vt.usda.gov