Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please use the below links to review commonly asked questions about the Funding for Agricultural Reductions in Mass Balance of Nutrients (FARM'N)
The program aims to reduce nutrient runoff from dairy farms by paying farmers for improving their farm’s nutrient mass balance. Instead of paying for specific practices, we pay for actual, verified outcomes—pounds of nitrogen removed from the system. This project will support the state's goal of reducing the risk of Nitrogen losses into the Bay.
A nutrient mass balance compares what comes into your farm (e.g., feed, fertilizer) with what leaves (e.g., milk, animals, crops). A positive change means you are importing less or exporting more nutrients—resulting in less runoff risk and better efficiency.
Any VSDA members in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are eligible to participate. If you are interested in exploring ways to improving nutrient utilization on your farm, you are encouraged to apply.
Farmers are paid $25 for every pound of creditable nitrogen reduced, based on verified reductions in nutrient balance. The state values nitrogen reductions in some region more highly than others, so the creditable reductions will vary based on where your farm is located. Payments are made annually at the beginning of the calendar year after verification. For a detailed breakdown of how we calculate creditable nitrogen reductions, see the Examples page.
Contracts are for 1 year with opportunities to renew for up to 5 years.
You choose what works best for your farm. Some examples include:
- Feeding lower-protein diets
- Growing more feed on-farm
- Reducing purchased fertilizer
- Crop removal
You are not required to follow a strict set of practices—just reduce your overall nutrient surplus.
We will ask for standard farm records you likely already track:
- Feed and fertilizer purchase receipts
- Milk and crop sales reports
- Animal census records
- Manure or compost movement records
These are used to calculate your nutrient imports and exports.
That’s okay. The program is designed with flexibility and risk in mind. You can test changes on a small part of your operation before scaling up. Quarterly check-ins help identify issues early so adjustments can be made.
Your detailed farm data stays confidential. Only Virginia Tech (VT) will handle it for calculation and verification. Your specific inputs (e.g., fertilizer, feed, etc.) will be aggregated into a mass balance prior to sharing with DEQ and VSDA. Personal data included in research records at VT are not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.6) and will be protected following standards set by the VT Institutional Review Board. Data leaving VT will include only aggregated mass balance results, never individual farm data.
- Phase 1 (2025–2026): Initial launch with farms interested in pilot-testing
- Phase 2 (2026–2030): Expanded participation through open enrollment
- Annual Cycle: Includes enrollment, check-ins, documentation, and payments
The VT and VSDA teams help with enrollment (VT) and contract setup (VSDA). The VT team provides technical support, helps you understand your mass balance, and checks in quarterly to review progress and offer feedback.
No. We have designed the baseline calculations to avoid double-counting benefits if you are enrolled in other programs (like cost-share). You can still participate, and we will make sure your efforts are uniquely credited.
You can express your interest in participating at this link! Our team will get in touch and guide you through the application process.
If you're interested in scheduling an enrollment discussion, fill our the enrollment interest form now!