State-Significant Farmland
State-Significant Farmland supports conservation organizations and public entities in protecting Vermont farmland through lasting easements and restrictions, benefiting Vermonters and safeguarding water and habitats.
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; appraisal and survey cost-share available
Summary: Supports lasting conservation of Vermont farmland through conservation easements, deed restrictions, or other enduring mechanisms.
Key Information: Individual landowners must work with a land trust to apply; the two-step farmland review can take 12–18 months.
Description
State-Significant Farmland is administered by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) to conserve Vermont farmland for the long-term benefit of Vermonters. Projects must secure lasting public benefits through deed restrictions, conservation easements, or other enduring mechanisms. The Board considers soil quality, location, farm infrastructure and viability, management, and other resources brought to each project.
The program also supports appraisals that establish the value of conservation easements. Eligible entities submit pre-applications for interagency review before developing full funding applications. VHCB conservation staff review applications, visit properties, and prepare summaries for the Board, which makes final funding decisions. Surface water protection is an important goal, including riparian buffers and special protections for wetlands and other critical habitats.
