Voucher Program
The Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association has received funding from the Campbell Foundation and our 2024 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grant to provide Certified Crop Adviser technical support and data management coaching through a voucher program. Funding for 30 vouchers is available across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
With data management often being a barrier to farmers’ decisions to implement new 4R management practices. The voucher project proposes to provide technical assistance directly to farmers, to help farmers understand the language and data used to identify and implement precision ag and nutrient management practices and enable them to make more informed decisions on their nutrient management practices. The $1,000 voucher will be made available to the agribusiness.
At a minimum, the technical advisor must operate under the supervision of a certified crop advisor. This voucher is valid after the completion of the data management coaching and plan development from January 2025 to July 2025. The voucher can be used in conjunction with the purchase of other services. An itemized invoice is not required. The advanced nutrient management planning developed from this coaching session must be submitted using the Voucher Program’s reporting form. Lastly, one must be willing to be interviewed post-harvest 2025, regarding the plan developed.
Proof of CCA supervision and a current nutrient management plan, and results of the data management consultation including a summary of services (data analysis, map developed, the approach used), and actionable next steps to implement advanced 4R nutrient management practices are required.
This voucher may not be used to purchase technical support to write an MDA nutrient plan, equipment, supplies, or software.
The vouchers are available to the first 30 farmers/agribusiness partners that sign up. For more details or to enroll please contact the Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association – Jenell McHenry at jenell.mdag@gmail.com or 443-262-6969.
Implementation cost-share will be available for specified practices. More information is forthcoming.