The Maine Farmers Drought Relief Fund offers financial assistance to farmers to develop agricultural water management plans and to install wells and water storage ponds throughout Maine. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry is offering up to $ 7,500 for agricultural water management plans prepared by qualified technical service providers, or 90-percent cost-sharing for installation of dug wells (up to $ 15,000), drilled wells (up to $ 25,000), and gravel-packed wells or water storage ponds (up to $ 50,000). Funding is limited to water sources for cropland. Field irrigation systems are not being funded by this program. Funding is not contingent on any federal conservation financial assistance programs.
A copy of the Request for Applications (RFA#ARDFDRF2025) as well as any amendments and/or question-and-answer summaries can be obtained at the Maine Farmers Drought Relief Fund website.
Applications must be submitted via the online form linked in the RFA, and supplemental files must be emailed to Tom.Gordon@Maine.gov. Application submissions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., local time on June 20, 2025. Applications will open on May 2, 2025. Applications not submitted following application instructions described in the RFA will not be considered for award.
Maine State Government is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
