NCLC’s Building Resiliency program will fund the implementation of climate-smart agricultural practices. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) defines climate-smart agriculture as “an integrated approach that enables farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to respond to climate change by reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and adapting and building resilience (adaptation), while sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes.”

NCLC will prioritize projects from the NRCS’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) Mitigation Activities List. Click the “Code” number to access guidance for specific activities. Examples include but are not limited to, tillage management, cover cropping, nutrient management, rotational grazing, riparian forest buffer, silvopasture, renewable energy, and other.

All applicants must demonstrate that their project produces quantifiable outcomes – the Environmental Impacts. To assess these impacts, the applicant will submit data collected before and after project implementation on chosen metrics. The applicant is responsible for identifying at least two different types of metrics. In the Project Proposal section of the application, applicants must demonstrate that the metric is environmentally related, economically feasible, and measurable within the timeframe of the grant. Applications that do not include a description of metrics will not be considered.

Examples of metrics include:

• Soil testing – Cornell’s Basic Soil Health Analysis Package assigns a soil health score to soil samples based on biological, physical, and chemical properties
• COMET-Planner – A tool used by the NRCS to measure greenhouse gas emissions reductions and carbon sequestration associated with various practices
• Adaptation and Resiliency Co-Benefits – Including but not limited to:
  • Pesticide use
  • Fertilizer use
  • Biodiversity/species abundance
  • Water use
  • Water quality
  • Erosion
  • Fuel use
  • Yield
  • Cost savings
• Energy Assessment – Conducted by entities such as Energize CT
• Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator – A tool created by the EPA to convert energy data to the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emissions and other metrics

*Note that Adaptation and Resiliency Co-Benefits is one category. NCLC encourages measuring as many co-benefits as possible.

NCLC is prioritizing projects within the range of $5,000-$20,000. The minimum award amount is $1,000. Applicants can apply for up to $50,000, but applicants requesting the maximum award amount should provide a detailed funding plan and explanation that justifies the request.

Applicants will submit a budget worksheet describing anticipated costs incurred throughout the course of the project.

Eligible expenses include the following:

• Materials and supplies related to project implementation
• Consultants and contractors
• State/local/federal permits
• Equipment purchases and rentals

Ineligible expenses include the following:

• Salaries and wages
• Any expense incurred prior to contract execution
• Land acquisition/mortgages
• Cost of borrowing (points and other fees)
• Expenses related to establishing a new organization/business
• Any portion of expense for which the applicant pays a contractor in merchandise or service in lieu of cash
• Tuition/tuition reimbursement or career-related/scholarship funds
• Disposable supplies (office, farm, otherwise) unrelated to the project
• Legal expenses related to litigation

Selected awardees must sign a contract with NCLC governing the terms of their grant award. The contract will require that awardees comply with the following:

• Provide a certificate of insurance holding NCLC and the CT Department of Agriculture harmless
• Determine permits and other local requirements and supply a copy of documentation prior to project implementation
• Conduct data collection before and after project implementation on the chosen metrics
• Submit an initial and final report detailing project information, as detailed below
• Receive a site visit from a representative of NCLC and DOAG after project completion
• Publicly acknowledge funds
• Other applicable information, as outlined in the contract

Reporting will include the following information:

• Baseline data and data collected during the monitoring period on the chosen metrics, including detailed documentation
• Financial information with expenses itemized and broken down by project category, invoices from and payments to contractors/consultants, among other forms of proof of payment
• A timeline of activities for the upcoming period
• Deviations from the approved project and timeline
• Difficulties or challenges encountered
• Solutions developed to overcome difficulties

After contract signing, awardees will receive up to a 50% advance of award funds. The remaining funds will be reimbursed to the applicant upon favorable review of the final report. The specifics of the grant payment will be tailored to each project and will be outlined in the contract.

A typical timeline will look like the following, but will be tailored to each project in the contract: 

1. Complete the following online form. A PDF version is available; applicants can email the PDF application to shelley@ctland.org. 
2. Complete the budget worksheet.
3. Make sure you have submitted all required documentation with the application and worksheet, including:

• Landlord consent agreement
• Maps, sketches, pictures, and other visual materials
• Contractor quotes

4. Make sure you have submitted all supplemental documentation, when applicable:

• Conservation easement
• Farm management plan
• NRCS conservation plan
• Any other materials necessary to demonstrate planned project

NCLC will not accept incomplete applications. Technology should not be a barrier to participation in this program. If you need any technological assistance or clarification on application questions, please reach out to Shelley Rose, Agricultural Program Manager, at shelley@ctland.org, or call 860-927-1927.

Applicants must show proof of eligibility, request an award within the minimum and maximum funding range, and submit all required documentation to be considered for a climate-smart agricultural implementation grant. Strong applications will also demonstrate the following:

• Projects that have a climate mitigation focus, improve the farm’s adaptability and resilience, and/or promote ecological sustainability
• Projects that can be measured through multiple metrics
• The applicant’s capacity to complete and measure the project within the timeframe of the grant
• Eligible and justified expenses

View the online information session recording and slides from 3/27/24. Note that the program guidance has been updated. All changes are included in the PDF and the above tabs.