The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for 2026 Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants through Sept. 12. These grants are awarded to producer-led groups to help support and advance conservation solutions and farmer participation in local watershed conservation.
The total program budget for 2026 is $1 million, and eligible groups that apply can receive up to $40,000. The grants aim to help farmers find and promote conservation solutions best suited for their watershed, based on topography, soil, types of operations and other factors that differ among regions of the state.
Applicants must be groups of at least five farmers whose farms are in the same or an adjacent watershed. Each farm must have produced at least $6,000 in gross farm revenue last year, or $18,000 over the past three years.Â
Each group must partner with a county land conservation department, the University of Wisconsin-Extension or a nonprofit conservation organization. Both newly formed and established groups are eligible to apply.
Grant information and application materials are available here and must be submitted via email in Microsoft Word format.
