Soil and Water Resource Management (SWRM) Grant Program
Forecasted
Soil and Water Resource Management (SWRM) Grant Program supports Wisconsin counties and landowners with conservation staffing, cost-sharing, and education to address soil erosion, nutrient runoff, and water quality.
Funder: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Engineering Reserve priority) | April 2027 (SWRM applications)
Funding Amounts: Annual allocations; 2026 guidance specifies $75,000 minimum staffing awards and $10,000 structural base grants
Summary: State funding supports Wisconsin county conservation operations, landowner cost-sharing, nutrient management education, and statewide conservation projects.
Key Information: Counties must have a DATCP-approved Land and Water Resource Management Plan.
Description
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) administers SWRM to support county land and water conservation activities. Annual allocations reach all 72 Wisconsin counties through staffing and support grants, structural cost-sharing for landowners, nutrient management cost-sharing, and engineering reserve awards. The program supports conservation planning and implementation addressing soil erosion, nutrient runoff, and water quality.
The same allocation supports Nutrient Management Farmer Education and statewide project cooperators. Cooperator projects provide cost-effective responses to high-priority conservation problems, strengthen coordinated conservation delivery, and support county needs. Statewide nutrient management support includes maintaining SNAP-Plus and expanding planning through education, outreach, and implementation.
