Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) 2027 Use of Technology to Enhance Regenerative Farming Best Management Practices in the New York Portion of the Lake Champlain Basin is an applicant-facing competitive financial-assistance opportunity released November 6, 2026 with NEIWPCC. It supports precision technology that helps New York Basin farms implement Tier 4 stacked regenerative conservation practices already identified in approved Tier 3 New York Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) plans and improves phosphorus stewardship.
Individual applicant funding: A proposal may request up to $125,000; one proposal per eligible primary applicant. Approximately $125,000 in overall program funding is anticipated, which is not a promise of an award to any one organization. Partial awards are possible. Deadline: January 11, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. through Foundant; the RFP does not specify a time zone. Award decisions are anticipated February 2027, workplans March 2027, projects from June 2027 after executed agreements.
Eligible applicants: Organizations situated and working in the New York portion of the Lake Champlain Basin, including New York Soil and Water Conservation Districts, colleges or universities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit companies. Federal and state agencies, organizations outside the United States, and individuals or organizations involved in preparing/reviewing this solicitation cannot apply. Collaborative proposals are allowed with one responsible primary applicant. Existing NEIWPCC/LCBP contract holders must be in good standing.
Required scope and technology: Demonstrate farmer support and describe the selected farms or district service area, the approved Tier 3 AEM conservation plans, the Tier 4 stacked regenerative practices to implement, technology purchase/use, and measurable phosphorus, yield, capacity or runoff outcomes. Examples include agricultural autosteer, reduced soil compaction, automated irrigation, fenceless grazing, crop/nutrient management, and other eligible NRCS practices. Proposals must specify farm outreach, technology implementation and results metrics. Projects previously contracted for the same assistance under another federal program are ineligible.
Costs and restrictions: Eligible budget costs can include personnel, equipment, supplies, project travel and qualified subcontracted services. No mandatory cash or in-kind matching contribution is required, although a voluntary match may improve competitiveness; a farmer cost-share incentive may be encouraged. Do not charge land acquisition, endowments, hazardous waste remediation, marketing, fundraising, lobbying, food or beverages, direct for-profit product creation, or regulatory compliance. Expenses are subject to the RFP’s indirect cost, procurement, insurance, documentation, audit, and reporting provisions. Only completed contracted tasks are eligible for payment; QAPP requirements may apply to data work. A UEI and subrecipient compliance documentation are required.
Application: Read the full 14-page official November 6, 2026 RFP with Foundant application preview, prepare the required project narrative, AEM/farm support evidence, implementation workplan and itemized budget, register or log into the NEIWPCC Foundant application portal, select this particular agronomy technology solicitation, and submit by January 11, 2027 at 5 p.m. (time zone not published). Email submission is not accepted. Check the LCBP grant RFP listing for subsequent amendments and the November 20 applicant webinar.