The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is accepting applications for 2027 Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants through Sept. 15.
The grants are awarded to producer-led groups to help support and advance producer-led conservation solutions and farmer participation in local watershed conservation efforts. Eligible groups that apply can receive up to $40,000.
The last two funding cycles have been record-setting with the highest number of requests in the history of the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant program, with 49 groups applying. In 2025, those requests totaled almost $1.65 million.
Applicants must be groups of at least five farmers whose farms are in the same or 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. Each group must collaborate with a county land conservation department, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, or a nonprofit conservation organization. Both newly formed and established groups are eligible to apply.
Grant information and application materials are available on DATCP’s Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants webpage and must be submitted by email in Microsoft Word format. For more information, contact Producer-Led Watershed Program Manager Dani Heisler at dani.heisler@wisconsin.gov or (608) 640-7270.
