1. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of the approved/denied quarterly after a thorough review.

2. Grant applications will be awarded based on availability of program funding and merit of the proposal based upon evaluation criteria included in this application. If the applicant does not meet eligibility per Agriculture & Markets (AGM) CHAPTER 69, ARTICLE 25-AA, SECTION 301, Subdivision 11. ‘farm operation’ they will not be considered.

3. Eligible applicants must submit a complete grant application including a description of need for the funding. Applicants may only apply once per fiscal year.

4. These are reimbursable funds. Closeout packages must provide necessary documentation per each category before reimbursement is issued.

5. Payment will not be issued to participants who are not in good standing with WAC.

6. In order to receive the reimbursement, applicants must submit an invoice to WAC including proper documentation and receipts.

7. $5,000 cap per applicant per year.

6. Approved applications are subject to cancellation after one year. Staff may grant extensions upon request with approval by WAC’s Economic Viability Committee.

Grant recipients agree that a copy of any and all materials and documents, written or otherwise, including invoices, the completed business plan and its contents (sensitive, private or confidential information may be redacted) will be forwarded to WAC. The business owner, consultant and the Economic Viability Program Director agrees to sign the completed business plan form as part of the reimbursement closeout package.

The Watershed Agricultural Council’s grantees/participants are at the core of our mission and work. We are most effective when we are working together with participants to achieve the shared impact we all desire. WAC is therefore committed to safeguarding your personal information. All data, materials, knowledge and information generated through this application is to be considered privileged and confidential and is not to be disclosed to any third party with the exception of WAC staff and designated individuals processing applications as well as agents and auditors from funding sources reviewing collected information generated consistent with the terms of the sponsoring agreement. The business owner has the right to redact any sensitive, private or confidential information.

Eligible activities must tie directly to transition project which may include but are not limited to the following elements:

i. Professional legal services:
    1. Estate planning
    2. Succession planning/Retirement planning
    3. Wills/trusts
    4. Developing an LLC
    5. Developing a farm lease
    6. Farm transfer planning
ii. Professional accounting services:
    1. Financial planning/analysis associated with the planned transition
    2. Tax implications of conservation easements
    3. Transaction costs associated to purchasing a farm and/or getting a conservation easement
iii. Other:
    1. Please provide information on a desired transition project/transaction/services that is different from those listed above in Section II A. i. and ii.

Transition projects/transactions must be developed by a licensed, qualified and/or credited professional.

The applicant and the qualified professional will be responsible for scheduling meetings and completing the desired transition project/transaction within one year from the approval date. WAC and the applicant will review the final project/transaction for compliance and acceptance.

Applicants must submit an estimate of cost for the project/transaction with the application. All estimates of cost must be provided by a qualified professional or organization.

Prior to issuing payment, WAC’s Economic Viability Program Director or designee will review the closeout package signed by the applicant that completed it. Applicants must submit the completed project/transaction with the signed completion form by the qualified professional and including their signature provided by WAC for review. After this review WAC will submit payment via a two party check (payment to vendor) or a check directly to applicant.