The Agency facilitates, supports and encourages the growth and viability of agriculture in Vermont while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment.
Vermont's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) aims to improve water quality and reduce sediment runoff by incentivizing landowners to remove land from agricultural production. This is achieved through establishing vegetative buffers such as vegetated filter strips, forested buffers, or grassed waterways. The program provides financial compensation through upfront payments and annual rental payments for land dedicated to these efforts. It seeks to mitigate pollutants in runoff, stabilize streambanks, enhance wildlife habitat, and lower water temperatures through vegetated solutions. Financial assistance covers up to 100% of the costs for implementing these conservation practices, with contracts lasting 15 or 30 years to maintain the buffers.