VERMONT — Farmers seeking financial help paying for environmental protection equipment are facing a Dec. 1 deadline to apply for funds through a state grant program.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has announced $1 million in funding for the Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP).  This financial assistance program is available to support farmers to acquire new or innovative equipment that will aid in the elimination of runoff from agricultural wastes to state waters, improve water quality, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
“This program has historically supported many farmers in their transition to no-till or in improving their farming practices with precision agricultural equipment,” said Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts. “We’re excited to offer a new phosphorus removal technology funding category that will offer financial assistance for the installation of both physical and chemical mechanisms for the separation of phosphorus from manure.”
This year, funding is available through CEAP for a range of innovative equipment such as phosphorus removal technologies, no-till equipment, manure application record keeping units, manure injection equipment, and more.  Specific equipment that is eligible for funding as well as the corresponding funding rates and caps is available the Agency’s website at agriculture.vermont.gov/ceap.
The grant application period opened Oct. 18 and applications are due by 4 p.m. on Dec. 1.  Eligible applicants include custom manure applicators, non-profit organizations, and farmers.
For the complete CEAP application, program details and additional information, please visit agriculture.vermont.gov/ceap or call the Agency at (802) 828-2431 or email: [email protected].