§ 4951. Farm Agronomic Practices Program

(a) The Farm Agronomic Practices Assistance Program is created in the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to provide the farms of Vermont with State financial assistance for the implementation of soil-based practices that improve soil quality and nutrient retention, increase crop production, minimize erosion potential, and reduce agricultural waste discharges. The following practices may be eligible for assistance to farms under the grant program:

(1) conservation crop rotation;

(2) cover cropping;

(3) strip cropping;

(4) cross-slope tillage;

(5) zone or no-tillage;

(6) pre-sidedress nitrate tests;

(7) annual maintenance of a nutrient management plan that is no longer receiving funding under a State or federal contract, provided the maximum assistance provided to a farmer under this subdivision shall be $2,000.00 per year;

(8) educational and instructional activities to inform the farmers and citizens of Vermont of:

(A) the impact on Vermont waters of agricultural waste discharges;

(B) the federal and State requirements for controlling agricultural waste discharges;

(9) implementing alternative manure application techniques; and

(10) additional soil erosion reduction practices.

(b) Funding available under section 4827 of this title for nutrient management planning may be used to fund practices under this section. (Added 2007, No. 112 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 3, 2008; amended 2009, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. May 18, 2010; 2013, No. 83, § 12, eff. June 10, 2013; 2015, No. 39, § 16.)