Next Round of AWEP

If you're a watershed farmer looking to harness the agricultural waste issues on your property, it's time for you to apply for the latest grant opportunity through the Watershed Agricultural Program. The USDA NRCS and Watershed Agricultural Council will direct $254,000 towards farm improvements in Delaware, Sullivan, Schoharie, Greene and Ulster Counties through the 2011 AWEP, Agricultural Watershed Enhancement Program.

Farmers are eligible for funding that will subsidize farm improvements, infrastructure and land conservation methods, known as Best Management Practices or BMPs, that benefit water quality. Livestock farmers within the project area must sign up for the program by April 1, 2011.

Wondering what AWEP covers? In 2010, the Council and NRCS put $120,000 of AWEP funding to work on several farms via nutrient management plans. In 2011, depending on farmer needs, AWEP may cover costs associated with livestock waste storage facilities, drainage and heavy-use area pads (HUAPs for short, pictured above), too. Depending on who applies and how NRCS rankings shake out, your farm can receive assistance to address animal waste pollution issues this year...but you have to apply by April 1.

Livestock farmers within the watershed can find more information, or submit an application, by calling NRCS Resource Conservationist Suzanne Baker at (607) 865-7090, ext. 270. Visit the AWEP page of the NRCS web page for more information.

AWEP was established by the 2008 Farm Bill and funding comes from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The NRCS administers the program for USDA. AWEP promotes ground and surface water conservation and improves water quality by helping farmers implement agricultural water enhancement activities. NRCS works with the Council and our partnering agencies to address water quality issues in the NYC watershed in order to protect clean drinking water for nine million New Yorkers.