National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) Regulations, Guidance, Policy, and Funding

Regulations

 

2014

Regulatory Flexibility Act Section 610 Review of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Regulation and Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) -- Review of the 2003 NPDES permit regulation and effluent limitations guidelines (ELG) standards for CAFOs pursuant to section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

2012

EPA Administered Permit Programs: The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System -- This document consolidates the current federal CAFO regulatory requirements included in the 2012 CAFO rule revision to remove the Fifth Circuit Court’s vacated elements, and the 2008 and 2003 final CAFO rules into a single document.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Reporting Rule -- EPA co-proposed two options for obtaining basic information from CAFOs to support EPA in meeting its water quality protection responsibilities under the Clean Water Act (CWA). EPA withdrew the proposed rule in 2012. 

2011

Revised National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Regulation and Effluent Limitations Guidelines for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations -- EPA revised provisions of the 2008 CAFO rule that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had vacated; in particular clarifying that CAFOs are required to have permits when they discharge as opposed to when they propose to discharge.

2008

Revised National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Regulation and Effluent Limitations Guidelines for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in Response to the Waterkeeper Decision -- This final rule furthers the statutory goal of restoring and maintaining the nation’s water quality by ensuring that CAFOs properly manage manure generated by their operations.

2003

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Regulation and Effluent Limitation Guidelines and Standards for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) -- Revises and clarifies the EPA's regulatory requirements for CAFOs under the CWA. This final rule ensures that CAFOs take appropriate actions to manage manure effectively in order to protect the nation's water quality. The rule revises two sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the NPDES permitting requirements for CAFOs (Sec. 122), and ELGs for CAFOs (Sec. 412).

Guidance

NPDES Permit Writers' Manual for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations  -- Provides information to states, producers, and the general public including:

  • general information on Clean Water Act (CWA) and NPDES requirements for CAFOs,
  • information to explain CAFO permitting requirements under the CWA, and
  • technical information to help states and producers understand options for nutrient management planning.

Implementation Guidance on CAFO Regulations – CAFOs That Discharge or Are Proposing to Discharge -- This guidance provides information, consistent with the 2008 CAFO rule, on complying with the requirement to obtain permit coverage if the CAFO discharges or proposes to discharge.
NOTE: This document has not been updated to address EPA’s 2012 regulatory revision (77 FR 65840) (October 31, 2012).

Managing Manure Nutrients at CAFOs -- This guidance provides additional technical informatio for owners, operators, technical service providers, consultants, and permit authorities on how to carry out EPA's 2003 regulatory requirements for NPDES permitting of CAFOs. It also provides information on voluntary technologies and management practices that may both improve the production efficiency of CAFOs and further protect the quality of the nation's waters.
NOTE: This document has not been updated to reflect the 2008 revisions to the final CAFO regulations. Portions of this document describing rule provisions that were not revised in 2008 are still relevant.

Policy

 

2011

Regulatory Definitions of Large CAFOs, Medium CAFOs, and Small CAFOs  -- This factsheet defines a large, medium, and small concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO).

1999

Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations -- Document sets forth a framework of actions, for USDA and EPA under existing legal and regulatory authority, to reduce impacts to water quality and public health from improperly managed animal wastes.

1994

Policy Statement on Scope of Discharge Authorization and Shield Associated with NPDES Permits (July 1, 1994) -- EPA's position on the scope of the authorization to discharge under an NPDES permit and the shield thus associated with the permit authorization.

Funding

The programs below provide operators of AFOs, as well as other farmers and ranchers, businesses, and other organizations, with financial and technical assistance information. These resources promote implementation of conservation practices and other management changes that help protect water quality and other natural resources.

USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Tribes
  • Private landowners
  • Ranchers
  • State/Territorial agencies
  • Tribal agencies

What projects are eligible?

  • Conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and improve soil, water, plant, animal, air, and related resources
  • Development of conservation plans required to support EQIP projects
  • Support from Technical Service Providers (TSP) to develop Conservation Activity Plans (CAP) to address certain land use activities or specific resource needs

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EQIP Air Quality Initiative

The EQIP Air Quality Initiative provides financial assistance to implement conservation practices to address significant air quality resource concerns for high priority geographic locations on cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm or ranch lands.

Who is eligible?

  • Persons or entities who own land in agricultural or forest production
  • Persons or entities engaged in livestock, agricultural, or forest production

What projects are eligible?

  • Establishment of cover crops
  • Planting windbreaks
  • Implementation of nutrient management practices
  • Application of other conservation measures that mitigate and prevent air quality problems

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EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative

The EQIP National On-Farm Energy Initiative provides financial assistance for site-specific energy analysis of eligible farmsteads and irrigation systems on cropland, rangeland, and pastureland.

Who is eligible?

  • Individuals
  • Legal entities
  • Indian Tribes
  • Joint operations engaged in agricultural production

What projects are eligible?

Financial assistance is available for an Agricultural Energy Management Plan (AgEMP), which clearly shows:

  • Itemized energy use by individual systems to establish a baseline for electricity and other fuel improvements
  • Recommendations for equipment improvements and upgrades
  • Amount of potential energy reductions and financial savings for each recommendation
  • Cost estimates of potential improvements
  • Length of expected payback for energy efficiency upgrades

With a completed AgEMP or other qualifying energy audit, eligible producers can apply for EQIP assistance for the purchase and installation of various improvements.

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EQIP Organic Initiative

The EQIP Organic Initiative provides financial assistance to organic producers to implement conservation practices in addressing resource concerns on cropland, rangeland, pastureland, and other farm or ranch lands.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Ranchers

What projects are eligible?

  • Development of a conservation plan
  • Establishment of buffer zones
  • Planning and installation of pollinator habitat
  • Improvement of soil quality and organic matter while minimizing erosion
  • Development of a grazing plan and supportive livestock practices
  • Improvement of  irrigation efficiency
  • Enhancement of cropping rotations and nutrient management

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Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative System for Crops

The Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops is a conservation practice that helps agricultural producers extend the growing season for high value crops in an environmentally safe manner on existing managed cropland and land that has an active crop production history.

Who is eligible?

  • Individuals
  • Legal entities
  • Indian Tribes
  • Joint operations engaged in agricultural production
  • Organic producers who grow agricultural commodities on eligible land and have natural resource concerns which may be addressed by a seasonal high tunnel

What projects are eligible?

The initiative supports implementation of seasonal high tunnel systems for crops.

The following supporting practices are also available to producers, as applicable to their state, to help ensure that the resource concerns are addressed while implementing and managing the seasonal high tunnel:

  • Critical area planting
  • Diversion
  • Grassed waterway
  • Irrigation reservoir
  • Irrigation system, microirrigation
  • Subsurface drain
  • Surface drainage, Ffeld ditch
  • Underground outlet

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National Water Quality Initiative

The National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) offers financial and technical assistance to eligible producers interested to implement conservation systems to improve water quality and aquatic habitats in priority watersheds with impaired streams. Priority watersheds are identified for each funding cycle. Assistance is provided through EQIP.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Ranchers

What projects are eligible?

Installation of conservation systems to reduce nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment, and pathogen contributions from agricultural land; may include practices such as:

  • Nutrient management
  • Cover crops
  • Conservation cropping systems
  • Filter strips
  • Terraces
  • Edge-of-field water quality monitoring.

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Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA)

AMA provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily incorporate conservation on agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land, or other lands that may benefit from adding conservation practices.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Ranchers
  • Tribes
  • Individuals
  • Cooperatives
  • AMA is available in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

What projects are eligible?

  • Construction or improvement of water management or irrigation structures
  • Tree plantings for windbreaks or water quality improvement
  • Risk mitigation through production diversification or implementation of conservation practices including soil erosion control, integrated pest management or transition to organic farming in order to improve water quality and mitigate risk

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Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

CIG is a voluntary program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies for conservation on agricultural lands.

Who is eligible?

  • State, local, and tribal governments
  • Nongovernmental organizations
  • Individuals

What projects are eligible?

  • Innovative on-the ground conservation projects, including pilot projects and field demonstrations
  • Technologies and approaches commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application, and which are eligible for EQIP funding, are NOT eligible for funding through CIG.

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Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

CSP helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns on cropland, pasture, and rangeland.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Ranchers
  • Producers

What projects are eligible?

  • Projects to improve soil, water, and air quality
  • Projects to increase biodiversity and wildlife and pollinator habitat
  • Projects to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gases to mitigate climate change
  • Projects to help to conserve water and energy

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Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

RCPP funds can be used by conservation partner organizations to provide assistance directly to producers to implement conservation activities on their farms.

Who is eligible?

Eligible partners include:

  • Agricultural or silvicultural producer associations
  • Farmer cooperatives or other groups of producers
  • State or local governments
  • American Indian tribes
  • Municipal water treatment entities
  • Water and irrigation districts
  • Conservation-driven nongovernmental organizations
  • Institutions of higher education

Eligible participants that may enter into conservation program contracts or easement agreements under the framework of a partnership agreement include:

  • Eligible producers and landowners of agricultural land
  • Eligible landowners of non-industrial private forestland

What projects are eligible?

  • Nutrient pollution reduction in impaired watersheds
  • Cover crop adoption to improve soil health and reduce runoff
  • Market development for carbon sequestration credit trading

Funding also can be directed to partners for a variety of technical assistance activities, including:

  • Resource assessment
  • Conservation practice survey and design
  • Conservation planning
  • Resource monitoring

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Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

ACEP provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits on cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland, and nonindustrial private forest land.

Who is eligible?

Agricultural land easement
  • Non-profit organizations
  • State and local agencies
  • Indian tribes
Wetland land easement

Landowners

What projects are eligible?

Agricultural land easement

The proposed agricultural land easement must:

  • Be subject to a pending offer for purchase of an agricultural land easement from an eligible entity;
  • Have prime, unique, or productive soil, and meet one of the following criteria:
    • Contain historical or archaeological resources; or
    • Protect grazing uses by restoring and conserving land; or
    • Further a State or local policy consistent with the purposes of the program

AND

  • Meet one of the following criteria:
    • Be cropland, rangeland, grassland; or
    • Be land that contains forbs or shrub land for which grazing is the predominant use; or
    • Be located in an area that has been historically dominated by grass-land, forbs, or shrubs and could provide habitat for animal or plant populations of significant ecological value; or
    • Be pastureland or nonindustrial private forestland that contributes to the economic viability of an offered parcel or serves as a buffer to protect such land from development.
Wetland land easement

The proposed wetland land easement must be:

  • Farmed or converted wetlands, together with adjacent land that is functionally dependent on that land; or
  • Flooded cropland or grassland that was used for agricultural production prior to flooding from the natural overflow of either a closed basin lake or a pothole; or
  • Farmed wetlands and adjoining lands that are enrolled in the CRP, have high wetland functions and values, and would return to production after they leave CRP; or
  • Riparian areas that link protected wetlands; or
  • Other wetlands that would not otherwise be eligible, if USDA determines that the inclusion of such wetlands would add to the functional value of the easement.

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Water Bank Program (WBP)

The WBP provides financial assistance to landowners through annual payments for conserving and protecting wetlands and adjacent lands from adverse land uses and activities, such as drainage, that would destroy the wetland characteristics of those lands. Geographic eligibility varies from year to year.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible to participate in the WBP, a person must:

  • Be the landowner of eligible land for which enrollment is sought; or
  • Have possession of the land by written lease over all designated acreage in the agreement.

What projects are eligible?

  • Projects that conserve surface waters
  • Projects that preserve and improve the Nation's wetlands
  • Projects that increase migratory waterfowl habitat in nesting, breeding, and feeding areas in the U.S.
  • Projects that secure environmental benefits for the Nation
  • Financial assistance is not available for conservation practices through WBP
  • Land enrolled in WBP may not be cropped

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Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Program

The CTA program provides land users with proven conservation technology and the delivery system needed to achieve the benefits of a healthy and productive landscape.

Who is eligible?

  • Individuals
  • Groups
  • Tribes
  • Units of government

What projects are eligible?

  • Development and implementation of resource management plans
  • Providing assistance to agricultural producers to comply with the Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland (Swampbuster) Conservation Compliance Provisions of the l985 Food Security Act, as amended
  • Providing assistance to decision-makers to comply with Federal, State, tribal, and local environmental regulations and related requirements, and to prepare them to become eligible to participate in other Federal, State, and local conservation programs
  • Provide soils information and interpretation to aid sound decision making in the wise use and management of soil resources
  • Collect, analyze, interpret, display, and disseminate information about the status, condition, and trend of soil, water, and related natural resources
  • Assess the effects of conservation practices and systems on the condition of natural resources

Note: The CTA program does not include financial or cost-share assistance. Clients may develop conservation plans, which may serve as a springboard for those interested in participating in USDA financial assistance programs. CTA planning can also serve as a door to financial assistance and easement conservation programs provided by other Federal, State, and local programs.

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USDA Rural Development

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans and Grants

REAP renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement loans and grants provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to eligible participants to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.

Who is eligible?

  • Agricultural producers in rural or non-rural areas
  • Rural small businesses (not located in a city or town with a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants or the urbanized area of that city or town)

What projects are eligible?

Funds may be used to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems, such as:

  • Biomass (e.g., biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels)
  • Geothermal for electric generation or direct use
  • Hydropower below 30 megawatts
  • Hydrogen
  • Small and large wind generation
  • Small and large solar generation
  • Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation

Funds may also be used to purchase, install and construct energy efficiency improvements, such as:

  • High efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
  • Insulation
  • Lighting
  • Cooling or refrigeration units
  • Doors and windows
  • Electric
  • Solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots
  • Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor
  • Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment

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Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA) Grants

REDA grantees assist rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits, and providing renewable energy development assistance to increase the private sector supply of renewable energy and decrease the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements.

Who is eligible?

  • State and local governments
  • Federally-recognized tribes
  • Land grant institutions
  • Rural electric cooperatives
  • Public power entities
  • An instrumentality of a state, tribal, or local government
  • A Resource Conservation & Development Council (as defined in 16 USC §3451)

What projects are eligible?

  • Energy audits
  • Renewable energy technical assistance
  • Renewable energy site assessments

Eligible project costs may include:

  • Salaries directly related to the project.
  • Travel expenses directly related to conducting energy audits or renewable energy development assistance.
  • Office supplies.
  • Administrative expenses, up to a maximum of 5% of the grant, which include but are not limited to utilities, office space, operation expenses of office and other project-related equipment.

Project funds may NOT be used for:

  • Payment for construction-related activities.
  • Purchase or lease of equipment.
  • Payment of judgments or debt owed the government.
  • Goods or services provided by a person or entity who has a conflict of interest.
  • Costs incurred by preparing an application package.
  • Funding political or lobbying activities.

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Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program

The B&I Guaranteed Loan Program bolsters the existing private credit structure through the guaranteeing of loans for rural businesses, allowing private lenders to extend more credit than they would typically be able to.

Who is eligible?

Lenders with legal authority, sufficient experience, and financial strength to operate a successful lending program may apply; these include:

  • Federal or state chartered banks
  • Savings and loans
  • Farm credit banks
  • Credit Unions

Eligible lenders may request guarantees for:

  • Rural businesses (located in an area other than a city or town with a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants and the urbanized area of that city or town. The borrower’s headquarters may be based in a larger city as long as the project is in an eligible rural area.)
  • Cooperative organization, corporation, partnership, other legal entity organized or operated on a profit or nonprofit basis
  • Indian tribe on a federal or state reservation
  • Public body
  • Individual

What projects are eligible?

  • Business conversion, enlargement, repair, modernization, or development
  • Purchase and development of land, easements, rights-of-way, buildings, or facilities
  • Purchase of equipment, leasehold improvements, machinery, supplies, or inventory
  • Debt refinancing when new jobs will be created and other conditions are met
  • Business and industrial acquisitions when the loan will keep the business from closing and/or save or create jobs

Guaranteed loan funds MAY NOT be used for:

  • Lines of credit
  • Owner-occupied housing
  • Golf courses
  • Racetracks or gambling facilities
  • Churches, church-controlled organizations, or charitable organizations
  • Fraternal organizations
  • Lending, investment, and insurance companies
  • Projects involving more than $1 million and the relocation of 50 or more jobs
  • Agricultural production, with certain exceptions
  • Distribution or payment to an individual owner, partner, stockholder, or beneficiary of the borrower or a close relative of such an individual when such individual will retain any portion of the ownership of the borrower

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Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)

The VAPG program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Ranchers
  • Loggers
  • Fishermen
  • Farmer or rancher cooperatives
  • Majority-controlled producer-based business ventures
  • Organizations presenting agricultural producers

What projects are eligible?

Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product.

  • Feasibility studies 
  • Business plan development
  • Processing costs
  • Marketing and advertising expenses
  • Some inventory and salary expenses

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USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Conservation Loan Program (CLP)

CLP provides access to credit for farmers to implement conservation measures on their land.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Ranchers
  • Sole proprietors
  • Farmer cooperatives
  • Private corporations
  • Partnerships
  • Limited liability companies

What projects are eligible?

Conservation practices included in an NRCS-approved conservation plan.

  • Installation of conservation structures
  • Establishment of forest cover
  • Installation of water conservation measures
  • Establishment or improvement of permanent pastures
  • Transitioning to organic production
  • Manure management, including manure digestion systems
  • Adaptation of other emerging or existing conservation practices, techniques or technologies
  • Conservation practices needed to comply with highly erodible land “compliance” requirements
  • Conservation buffer practices such as grassed waterways, shelterbelts, windbreaks, riparian buffers and filter strips, and living snow fences

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Farm Ownership Loans Direct and Guaranteed

Loan programs are designed to help family farmers obtain loans and loan guarantees through the extension of credit and supervisory assistance to become owner-operators of family farms; make efficient use of land, labor, and other resources; carry on sound and successful farming operations; and enable farm families to have a reasonable standard of living.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers

What projects are eligible?

  • Purchase of farmland
  • Building construction or repair
  • Promote soil and water conservation
  • Purchase of livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, insurance or other operating expenses
  • Minor improvements to buildings
  • Costs associated with land and water development
  • Refinance debts under certain conditions

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Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

CRP is a land conservation program in which enrolled farmers agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality in exchange for a yearly rental payment.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Landowners

What projects are eligible?

  • Planting native prairie and trees
  • Establishing longer lasting meadows of native wildflowers
  • Restoring farmable wetlands and development of nesting habitat in areas deemed as the most critical waterfowl areas
  • Providing opportunities for local students to learn about conservation and natural resources

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Conservation Reserve Program - Transition Incentives Program (CRP-TIP)

CRP-TIP assists with the transition of expiring CRP land from a retired or retiring owner or operator to an eligible farmer or rancher to return land to production for sustainable grazing or crop production.

Who is eligible?

  • All eligible CRP landowners or operators
  • Beginning farmers and ranchers
  • Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
  • Veteran farmers and ranchers

What projects are eligible?

  • Assistance to beginning farmers to help them compete with more established farmers and farmland investors in accessing CRP land
  • Retention of conservation on the land by helping beginning farmers develop and implement a conservation plan

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Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)

BCAP is part of the national strategy to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil, improve domestic energy security, and reduce carbon pollution, by developing more agricultural products made in rural America.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Forest landowners

What projects are eligible?

BCAP funds assist with growing, maintaining, and harvesting biomass that can be used for energy or bio-based products. BCAP provides assistance in three ways:

  • Establishment payments
  • Maintenance payments (annual payments)
  • Retrieval payments (matching payments) to collect existing biomass residues that are not economically retrievable

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USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Grants (SARE)

SARE Exit is a competitive grants research program that focuses solely on sustainable agriculture.

Who is eligible?

  • Researchers
  • Agricultural educators
  • Students
  • Farmers and ranchers

What projects are eligible?

Eligibility requirements vary by region and grant category. Visit the appropriate regional site to learn more about SARE grant eligibility in your region:

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Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI)

BRDI is a financial assistance program that supports the development of a biomass-based industry in the United States.

Who is eligible?

  • 1862 land-grant institutions
  • 1890 land-grant institutions
  • 1994 land-grant institutions
  • Hispanic-serving institutions
  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status other than institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Small business
  • State controlled institutions of higher education

What projects are eligible?

BRDI technical topic areas are:

  • Feedstock development
  • Biofuels and bioproduct development
  • Biofuels development analysis

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National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP)

NIWQP contributes to the improvement of the quality of surface water and groundwater resources through research, education, and extension activities.

Who is eligible?

  • Colleges and universities
  • 1994 land-grant institutions (tribal colleges)
  • Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities

What projects are eligible?

  • Projects that work to solve water resource problems by advancing and disseminating the knowledge base available
  • Projects that lead to science-based decision making and management practices
  • Farm, landscape and watershed scale projects
  • Projects that synthesize scientific understanding and accomplishments made through past NIFA-funded water projects

Integrated projects submitted under the NIWQP should include ALL three functions of agriculture knowledge (i.e., research, education, outreach/extension).

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Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

AFRI funds research, education, and extension grants that address key problems of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture.

The following eligibility information is for applications submitted under the “renewable energy, natural resources, and environment” AFRI target area.

Who is eligible?

  • State agricultural experiment stations
  • Colleges and universities
  • University research foundations
  • Other research institutions and organizations
  • Federal agencies
  • National laboratories
  • Private organizations or corporations
  • Individuals
  • Any group consisting of two or more of the aforementioned entities

What projects are eligible?

Applications submitted must address one of the following two program area priorities:

Nitrogen and phosphorus cycling:

  • Management/conservation practices and/or processes, including multi-cropping, across soil-air-water interfaces
  • Foundational research that supports decision-support tools for assessment of ecosystem services including: control technologies to mitigate nitrogen and phosphorus movement or impairment in plant and/or animal production systems; or process-based models to assess nitrogen and phosphorus life cycles in actively managed agroecosystems, rangelands, and forests

Agroecosystem management:

  • Projects focused on the connection of biodiversity to production system functionality, productivity, socioeconomic viability, sustainability and the production of other ecosystem services.
  • New approaches that significantly increase the output and/or value of at least three ecosystem services each compared with the current management system for the region.

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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

The SBIR program offers competitive grants to qualified small businesses to support high quality, advanced concepts research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits.

Who is eligible?

  • Small businesses

What projects are eligible?

  • Projects that manage the movement of products throughout a supply chain
  • Projects that develop processes that save energy
  • Projects that capture and relay real-time market data

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USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach

Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (Section 2501) Program

The program provides grant funding to organizations that work with underserved, socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmer communities to assure that socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers have opportunities to successfully acquire, own, operate, and retain farms and equitably participate in all USDA programs.

Who is eligible?

  • Land grant institutions (1890 or 1994)
  • Tribal governments and organizations
  • Hispanic serving institutions
  • American tribal community colleges
  • Alaska native cooperative colleges
  • State controlled institutions of higher ducation
  • Community-based and non-profit organizations

What projects are eligible?

The program emphasizes assistance that leads to participation in the full range of agriculture programs offered by the Department, supporting a range of outreach and assistance activities, including:

  • Farm management
  • Financial management
  • Marketing
  • Application and bidding procedures

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United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation

WaterSMART Grants

WaterSMART Grants provides cost-share on projects that support water sustainability in the western United States and United State territories, including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or Virgin Islands.

Who is eligible?

  • Indian tribes
  • Irrigation and drainage districts
  • Nonprofit groups
  • State/territorial agency

What projects are eligible?

  • Water and energy efficiency improvements
  • Projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently
  • Projects that increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency
  • Projects that benefit endangered and threatened species
  • Projects that facilitate water markets
  • Projects that carry out other activities to address climate-related impacts on water or prevent any water-related crisis or conflict
  • On-the-ground projects, such as implementation of climate adaptation strategies

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United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)

Clean Water State Revolving Fund

The CWSRF program helps communities across the country meet the goals of the Clean Water Act by improving water quality, protecting aquatic wildlife, protecting and restoring drinking water sources, and preserving our nation's waters for recreational use.

Who is eligible?

  • Farmers
  • Municipalities
  • Communities
  • Homeowners
  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofit organizations

Point sources, such as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), can only receive funding if publicly owned. However, a privately owned agricultural operation that includes a CAFO may be eligible for CWSRF funding.

What projects are eligible?

  • Nonpoint source projects
  • Watershed protection or restoration projects
  • Estuary management projects
  • More traditional municipal wastewater treatment projects
  • Alternative treatment technologies
  • Water reuse and conservation projects
  • Agricultural, rural, and urban runoff control projects

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319 Nonpoint Source Grants

EPA provides Clean Water Act Section 319(h) funds to designated state, territorial, and tribal agencies to implement their approved nonpoint source management programs. Those agencies then distribute the funds to other organizations and individuals to fund nonpoint source management programs.

Who is eligible?

States, tribal, and territorial nonpoint source programs establish eligibility requirements and funding priorities for 319 grants. Visit EPA’s Nonpoint Source Program’s Where you Live page to find links to your program.

What projects are eligible?

319 grants can be used for technical and financial assistance associated with nonpoint source pollution, such as:

  • Control measures
  • Education
  • Training
  • Technology transfer
  • Demonstration projects
  • Regulatory programs

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Wetlands Program Development Grants (WPDG)

WPDGs support projects that promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution.

Who is eligible?

  • State/territorial agency
  • Tribal agency
  • Local government
  • Interstate associations
  • Intertribal consortia
  • National nonprofit, non-governmental organizations

What projects are eligible?

  • Projects that support building or refining a wetlands program through four core elements of a wetlands program: regulation, monitoring/assessment, voluntary restoration/protection, and water quality standards for wetlands.
  • Priority is given to projects that address three priority areas:
    • Developing a comprehensive monitoring and assessment program
    • Improving the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation
    • Refining the protection of vulnerable wetlands and aquatic resources

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Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program

The Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program provides grants and cooperative agreements to fund pollution prevention (source reduction and resource conservation) activities.

Who is eligible?

  • Cooperative associations or districts
  • State controlled institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Indian tribes
  • Irrigation and drainage districts
  • Local government
  • Local organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Independent school district governments
  • State/territorial agency
  • Tribal agency
  • Intertribal consortia
  • Water and wastewater utilities
  • Grassroots organizations

Individuals, for-profit groups and businesses are NOT eligible to apply.

What projects are eligible?

Projects that support the Pollution Prevention (P2) program’s national emphasis areas:

  1. Climate change mitigation/prevention of greenhouse gas emissions,
  2. Food manufacturing, and
  3. State or community approaches to hazardous materials source reduction.

Proposals must demonstrate P2/source reduction through:

  • Surveys
  • Studies
  • Research
  • Investigation
  • Experimentation
  • Education
  • Training
  • Innovative practices.

Proposals will NOT be funded which principally support:

  • Recycling
  • Clean-up
  • Treatment
  • Disposal
  • Energy recovery efforts (e.g., incinerating solid waste to generate electricity)

Award funds may not be used for matching funds for other federal assistance agreements, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings.

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Regional Agricultural Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Grants

The Regional Agricultural IPM Grants help to formalize and expand public-private stewardship and increase collaborative pesticide risk reduction efforts in agriculture through grants to further the adoption of promising technologies and practices that reduce pesticide risk in various sectors.

Who is eligible?

  • State/territorial agencies
  • State universities
  • Tribal agencies

What projects are eligible?

Grants support projects that further the adoption of IPM approaches to reduce pesticide risk in production agriculture settings in the U.S. through any of the following:

  • Research
  • Development
  • Monitoring
  • Public education
  • Training
  • Demonstrations
  • Studies

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Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program Exit seeks to develop nation-wide community stewardship of local natural resources, preserving these resources for future generations and enhancing habitat for local wildlife on public land including parks, streams, and school campuses or private land such as corporate facilities.

Who is eligible?

  • Non-profit 501(c) organizations
  • State government agencies,
  • Local governments
  • Municipal governments
  • Indian tribes
  • Educational institutions

What projects are eligible?

  • On-the-ground wetland, riparian, in-stream and/or coastal habitat restoration
  • Meaningful education and training activities, either through community outreach, participation and/or integration with K-12 environmental curriculum
  • Projects that result in measurable ecological, educational, and community benefits
  • Projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance efforts

Funds are NOT available for:

  • Political advocacy
  • Fundraising
  • Lobbying
  • Litigation
  • Support of ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements including permit conditions, mitigation, and settlement agreements

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AgSTAR Program

AgSTAR is an outreach program that provides information and tools to assist in the evaluation and implementation of methane recovery systems for confined livestock facilities.

Who is eligible?

  • Livestock producers

What tools and resources are provided?

  • Outreach materials and project planning tools
  • Financing information
  • Events
  • Operating digester projects
  • Technical and regulatory assistance
  • Newsletters and listservs

Note: AgSTAR is an educational resource; it does not offer direct, farm-specific assistance.

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National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)