Wisconsin Announces Award of Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants

Wisconsin’s Governor and Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced the award of $1 million to 49 farmer-led groups through the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant (PLWPG) Program. Funding will support producer-led conservation solutions by encouraging innovation and farmer participation in efforts to improve Wisconsin’s soil health and water quality. Governor Tony Evers also announced that his 2025-27 Executive Budget will increase funding for the PLWPG Program by $1 million over the biennium, bringing the total funding for the program to $2.5 million. Including the most recent round of funding, DATCP has awarded more than $7.2 million to 52 different groups across the state since the program started in 2015. Grant projects have focused on providing conservation education to farmers, conducting on-farm demonstrations and research, issuing incentive payments for implementing conservation practices, organizing field days, and gathering data on soil health and water quality.