Eligible farmers are encouraged to apply by December 31, 2021. Five Vermont Watersheds Eligible for Assistance to Install Conservation Practices that Protect Drinking Water Sources. Vermont USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting State Conservationist Justin Tuthill announced that five Vermont watersheds are identified as source water protection areas. Eligible farmers in these watersheds can receive increased payment rates to install key priority conservation practices that address source water protection. The target watersheds in Vermont are the Headwaters Passumpsic River, portions of the Vernon Dam Watershed, South Stream Wallomsac River, Jail Branch, and Headwaters of Brown River.