Grazing Grants

2009 Grant Awards - 5 page PDF

The 2010 Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Grant Program
We are announcing the 2010 Request for Proposals for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Grant Program.  The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) is a partnership between USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, and private sector agricultural and conservation groups, working together to promote best management practices on Wisconsin private grazing lands.

Grazing is good for the environment, reduces labor and energy costs, and helps farmers keep more money in their pockets. About half of the state's beginning dairy farmers are using grazing as a strategy for getting started because it requires less capital outlay.

As part of a comprehensive plan to re-invigorate dairy and livestock agriculture, DATCP supports the use of well-managed pasture for forage production. About one fourth of dairy farmers use some form of rotational or intensive grazing, allowing them to minimize cost of production and environmental risk.  To capture those benefits, intensively managed grazing requires research, education and technical know-how.

The foundation of the GLCI grant program is funding from the national GLCI program. Beginning in 2008, state funds were added to the federal dollars supporting this program.  All grants are part of the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, a national effort begun in 1991. Senator Herb Kohl and Congressman David Obey are credited with helping to secure the funds for Wisconsin. DATCP has been administering the grants since 2004.  For the 2008-2009 biennial budget, the Wisconsin legislature led by Senator Russ Decker has also contributed significantly to the grant program.

2010 Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative grant opportunities:

Please note that we have substantially revised the application and reporting materials. If you have received grants from the program in the past, please download these new materials.

Grazing grants for education
Applications must be postmarked by March 29, 2010.

Grazing grants for research
Applications must be postmarked by March 29, 2010.

Grazing grants for technical assistance
Applications must be postmarked by March 29, 2010.

Materials for current grantees

Report Forms
Interim Report form for Technical Assistance Grants(1 page Excel spreadsheet)
Interim Report form for Education & Demonstration Grants (3 page Word file)
Interim Report form for Research Grants (2 page Word file)

Final Report form for Technical Assistance Grants(2 page Word file)
Final Numeric Report form for Technical Assistance Grants (1 page Excel spreadsheet)
Final Report form for Education & Demonstration Grants (3 page Word file)
Final Report form for Research Grants (2 page Word file)

For more information, contact Laura Paine, Division of Agricultural Development, 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov.