State-Significant Farmland
State-Significant Farmland supports Vermont landowners and conservation partners in protecting farms through lasting restrictions, preserving agricultural land for farmers and the wider public.
Funder: Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
Due Dates: December 11, 2026 (Board meeting) | January 27, 2027 (Board meeting) | March 25, 2027 (Board meeting) | May 19, 2027 (Board meeting) | June 17, 2027 (Board meeting)
Funding Amounts: Up to $550,000 per application and $4,200 per acre
Summary: Supports projects that conserve Vermont farmland for lasting benefit to farmers and the wider public.
Key Information: Farmland conservation uses a two-step process; only projects approved at pre-application proceed to a full funding application.
Description
The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) funds the conservation of Vermont farmland through projects that provide a long-term benefit to Vermonters. Applicants must secure that benefit through deed restrictions or other lasting mechanisms. The program is open to eligible organizations, municipalities, and certain state agencies; landowners who wish to conserve their property work with a land trust to apply.
A committee reviews farm pre-applications before applicants develop full funding requests for the Board. Projects that meet VHCB’s eligibility criteria may receive cost-share for an appraisal to establish the conservation easement’s value. In making funding decisions, the Board considers soil quality, location, farm infrastructure, management, and other resources brought to the project.
