Grants & Programs

Irrigation Automation Systems
In 2005, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association was awarded a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service grant to study irrigation automation systems for Massachusetts cranberries. This grant was completed in 2007 and the final report delivered to USDA. For any grower interested in learning more about the successes and failures of this program, understand how auto-start systems work, potential water savings, fuel expenditures, and more - the final report has been posted.
Download the report.... (PDF: 532KB)

Subsurface Water Drainage System
In 2008, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association received a grant to study subsurface drainage systems for Massachusetts cranberries. Learn more about the research, view photographs, grower input and more. The grant was funded through a Conservation Innovation Grant by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Sustainable Cranberry Growing in Massachusetts
In 2010, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association received a grant to develop sustainability standards for Massachusetts cranberry production. Funding for the grant was made possible by a Specialty Crop Block Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administred by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The grant is expected to finish in late 2011. A report titled "With an Eye Toward the Future: Sustainable Cranberry Growing in Massachusetts" has been published and can be
downloaded here. (PDF: 1MB)

The following are some of the programs and grants available to Massachusetts cranberry growers. Please contact the CCCGA or the administrating organization for more details.

Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP)- administered by MDAR
The Request For Response (RFR) for the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) for 2011 is available at the Department of Agricultural Resources web site.

The purpose of AEEP is to support the mitigation and/ or prevention of negative impacts to natural resources that may result from agricultural practices. Farmers selected to participate are reimbursed for the approved costs of materials up to $30,000 used to install best management practices which improve water quality, conserve water or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program runs on the state Fiscal Year which runs from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The application period for FY 2011 closes on June 30, 2011.

While primarily a water quality program, AEEP will also fund practices that promote energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers selected to participate are reimbursed for the approved costs of materials up to $30,000. A minimum of a 5% match is required of applicants. Most awards are in the $10,000 to $15,000 range.

Deadlines & Information:

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) - administered by NRCS*
Provides cost-share assistance to agricultural producers to mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices. Cranberry practices include irrigation storage reservoir, wells, critical area planting.

Conservation Security Program (CSP)- administered by NRCS*
Provides ongoing stewardship of private agricultural lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing natural resources. The program is offered in selected priority watersheds across the state. The 2006 watershed is the Taunton River basin. Farmers need to complete a self-assessment to determine eligibility and then submit an application.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - administered by NRCS *
Offers cost-share funds to provide technical expertise for planning and designing conservation practices. Some of the eligible practices include flume repair, renovation, irrigation automation, sanding, tail water recovery, dike construction/repair and channel work.

Farm Planning - administered by NRCS*
Used for planning and mapping of Best Management Practices for Massachusetts cranberry farming. A farm plan defines and explains the resources on a property, combining them into one comprehensive plan. This customized plan assist the land owner in making positive environmental and economic decisions, outlining both current and planned uses of a property and how they will be implemented to federal, state and local officials.

Farm Viability - administered by MDAR
The Farm Viability Enhancement Program is a business planning program that provides technical assistance and advice to farmers who wish to diversify or modernize operations, remain efficient and competitive, and be environmentally sustainable. Learn more at the Department of Agriculture web site or download the Request For Response. Deadline is Thursday, June 23, 2011.

Matching Enterprise Grants Program (MEGA) - administered by MDAR
The Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture Program (MEGA) seeks to assist new and beginning farm businesses with start up and expansion costs. The Program offers farmers technical and business planning assistance to support the special needs of beginning farmers and makes capital available for the implementation of the improvement strategies recommended in the planning process. MEGA is a new program the Department of Agricultural Resources established in Fiscal Year 2011. Ten farms were selected to participate in this initial pilot year. Learn more at the Department of Agriculture web site or download the Request For Response. Deadline is Thursday, June 23, 2011.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) - administered by NRCS*
This program offers payment, based on agricultural value, for wetlands that have been previously used as agriculture. Up to 100% reimbursement for restoration costs are available and the landowner retains control of access - no public access is required.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) - administered by NRCS*
This is a conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance to landowners for developing, improving or managing wildlife habitat or for restoring natural ecosystems on eligible land.

* USDA NRCS Massachusetts Service Centers
Barnstable County Hyannis: (508) 771-6476
Bristol County - Dighton: (508) 669-6621
Plymouth County - West Wareham: (508) 295-5151

Growers ~ Grants & Programs
Grower Grants & Programs Select CCCGA Grant Projects (includes both current and past grants) Irrigation Automation Systems In 2005, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association was awarded a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service grant to study irrigation automation systems for Massachusetts cranberries. This grant was completed in 2007 and the final report delivered to USDA. For any grower interested in learning more about the successes and failures of this program, understand how auto-start systems work, potential water savings, fuel expenditures, and more - the final report has been posted. Download the report.... (PDF: 532KB) Subsurface Water Drainage System In 2008, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association received a grant to study subsurface drainage systems for Massachusetts cranberries. Learn more about the research, view photographs, grower input and more. The grant was funded through a Conservation Innovation Grant by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Sustainable Cranberry Growing in Massachusetts In 2010, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association received a grant to develop sustainability standards for Massachusetts cranberry production. Funding for the grant was made possible by a Specialty Crop Block Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administred by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The grant is expected to finish in late 2011. A report titled "With an Eye Toward the Future: Sustainable Cranberry Growing in Massachusetts" has been published and can be downloaded here. (PDF: 1MB) The following are some of the programs and grants available to Massachusetts cranberry growers. Please contact the CCCGA or the administrating organization for more details. Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP)- administered by MDAR The Request For Response (RFR) for the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) for 2011 is available at the Department of Agricultural Resources web site. The purpose of AEEP is to support the mitigation and/ or prevention of negative impacts to natural resources that may result from agricultural practices. Farmers selected to participate are reimbursed for the approved costs of materials up to $30,000 used to install best management practices which improve water quality, conserve water or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program runs on the state Fiscal Year which runs from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The application period for FY 2011 closes on June 30, 2011. While primarily a water quality program, AEEP will also fund practices that promote energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers selected to participate are reimbursed for the approved costs of materials up to $30,000. A minimum of a 5% match is required of applicants. Most awards are in the $10,000 to $15,000 range. Deadlines & Information: Initial responses must be received at MA Department of Agricultural Resources no later than 4:00 PM on June 30, 2011 Submission form available here or visit the AEEP web site Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) - administered by NRCS* Provides cost-share assistance to agricultural producers to mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices. Cranberry practices include irrigation storage reservoir, wells, critical area planting. Conservation Security Program (CSP)- administered by NRCS* Provides ongoing stewardship of private agricultural lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing natural resources. The program is offered in selected priority watersheds across the state. The 2006 watershed is the Taunton River basin. Farmers need to complete a self-assessment to determine eligibility and then submit an application. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - administered by NRCS * Offers cost-share funds to provide technical expertise for planning and designing conservation practices. Some of the eligible practices include flume repair, renovation, irrigation automation, sanding, tail water recovery, dike construction/repair and channel work. Farm Planning - administered by NRCS* Used for planning and mapping of Best Management Practices for Massachusetts cranberry farming. A farm plan defines and explains the resources on a property, combining them into one comprehensive plan. This customized plan assist the land owner in making positive environmental and economic decisions, outlining both current and planned uses of a property and how they will be implemented to federal, state and local officials. Farm Viability - administered by MDAR The Farm Viability Enhancement Program is a business planning program that provides technical assistance and advice to farmers who wish to diversify or modernize operations, remain efficient and competitive, and be environmentally sustainable. Learn more at the Department of Agriculture web site or download the Request For Response. Deadline is Thursday, June 23, 2011. Matching Enterprise Grants Program (MEGA) - administered by MDAR The Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture Program (MEGA) seeks to assist new and beginning farm businesses with start up and expansion costs. The Program offers farmers technical and business planning assistance to support the special needs of beginning farmers and makes capital available for the implementation of the improvement strategies recommended in the planning process. MEGA is a new program the Department of Agricultural Resources established in Fiscal Year 2011. Ten farms were selected to participate in this initial pilot year. Learn more at the Department of Agriculture web site or download the Request For Response. Deadline is Thursday, June 23, 2011. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) - administered by NRCS* This program offers payment, based on agricultural value, for wetlands that have been previously used as agriculture. Up to 100% reimbursement for restoration costs are available and the landowner retains control of access - no public access is required. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) - administered by NRCS* This is a conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance to landowners for developing, improving or managing wildlife habitat or for restoring natural ecosystems on eligible land. * USDA NRCS Massachusetts Service Centers Barnstable County Hyannis: (508) 771-6476 Bristol County - Dighton: (508) 669-6621 Plymouth County - West Wareham: (508) 295-5151

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