Nutrient Management Farmer Education Grants

The Nutrient Management Farmer Education (NMFE) Grant Program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) through its Soil and Water Resource Management (SWRM) program. The goal of the program is to support nutrient management education for farmers across Wisconsin, with a specific focus on enabling producers to develop their own nutrient management plans that comply with the USDA-NRCS 2015 590 Nutrient Management Standard. The program provides funding to organizations that conduct educational workshops, assist with soil testing, offer individualized support, and promote conservation planning practices that align with Wisconsin’s environmental and agricultural sustainability goals. There are two distinct tiers of funding available through this grant program. Tier 1 allows for awards up to $25,000 and targets projects that help farmers develop or update 590-compliant nutrient management plans. Funding under Tier 1 can be used for participant reimbursements (e.g., soil and manure testing, tuition vouchers, incentive stipends), administrative and training costs (not to exceed 25% of the award), and support costs such as mileage, facility rentals, and equipment. Counties may also request up to $2,000 specifically for laptops needed to conduct nutrient management training. For Tier 1 projects, reimbursement is contingent on submission of a completed nutrient management plan and checklist. Tier 2 provides smaller awards up to $3,000 and is focused on general nutrient management education and outreach. These projects are suitable for applicants new to the program or those not seeking to produce 590-compliant plans. Eligible activities include conducting workshops, hosting field days, and reviewing nutrient management plan implementation. Tier 2 funding can also support the purchase of soil health kits, administrative costs, and stipends for both farmers and plan writers participating in implementation reviews. Counties conducting such reviews may offer $150 stipends per participant and plan writer. Eligible applicants include conservation districts, local and tribal government entities, state agencies, UW-Extension offices, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and producer-led groups. Multiple-entity partnerships are encouraged and may apply for Tier 1 grants exceeding $25,000 by including additional funding requests of $10,000 per partner entity. One organization must serve as the lead applicant and grant manager. DATCP emphasizes cost efficiency and encourages in-kind contributions to supplement grant funding. Applications must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word format to either [email protected] or [email protected] by April 15, 2026. The application window opens on January 15, 2026. Reimbursement requests are due by February 15 of the year following the award period, and awardees may request an extension to carry over unspent funds for up to one additional year. Final reports must be submitted within 45 days after the funding period ends and must include detailed training data, participant checklists, and performance metrics. Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis. Evaluation criteria include how well proposals meet program goals, the number of farmers reached relative to funding requested, environmental benefit potential, and supplemental funding secured. Successful applicants will be notified following approval of the 2027 Joint Final Allocation Plan by DATCP, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Land and Water Conservation Board (LWCB), expected in late 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate measurable objectives, strong farmer-to-funding ratio, environmental benefits, and in-kind support to enhance scoring competitiveness.