AWPP - Frequently Asked Questions (and answers!)

AWPP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Benton County AWPP?

What is a ‘non-lethal’ wildlife deterrent?

Who can apply?

What can I apply for?

When are grants available? *Please read for changes starting in 2023!*

What is an emergency grant?

Who evaluates grant applications? 

How are grant applications evaluated?

Once I am notified of an award, what next?

How do I get reimbursed?

Can somebody be awarded multiple AWPP grants?
Are there other requirements for grant recipients?

Can I use lethal deterrents if I have received an AWPP grant?

What other resources does the AWPP program provide?

What is the Benton County AWPP?

The Benton County Agriculture and Wildlife Program (AWPP) is a financial assistance program funded initially by Benton County in 2017.
The AWPP funds reimbursable grants to farmers in Benton County wishing to protect livestock and/or crops using non-lethal wildlife deterrent methods.
The goals of the AWPP can be found on the ‘About the Program Page’.

What is a ‘non-lethal’ wildlife deterrent?

A non-lethal wildlife deterrent is a tool, method, or physical barrier that protects agricultural livestock and crops without having to resort to permanent removal or killing of wildlife.
In many cases, non-lethal wildlife deterrent measures have been shown to be more effective than lethal methods and do not require killing offending animals.
Non-lethal deterrents have been proven effective for many species of wildlife including mountain lions, bobcats, bears, coyotes, raccoons, birds of prey, and beavers.

Who can apply?

Any agricultural operation located in Benton County. This includes commercial, hobby, or lifestyle farms of any size.
Eligible farms plan on raising agricultural crops or livestock at the project site for at least three years after the grant award.

What can I apply for?

You can apply for up to $5,000 in reimbursements for approved non-lethal deterrent devices, tools, or equipment.
Examples of common deterrents include new or improved fencing (standard or electrified); livestock guardian animals; scare devices (lighting, sound, visual deterrents); protective housing; or beaver flow devices and tree protection.
If your desired method does not fall into these categories, please contact us (541-766-6293) or email awpp@co.benton.or.us before applying.

When are grants available?

The general grant application window will be open annually on October 1st.
Award announcements will be made the first week of January and awardees will have through April 30th to install their non-lethal wildlife deterrence projects.

After an in-person site visit by County staff, awardees can then submit receipts and a check request form for reimbursement. Please see our 'Resources for Grant Recipients' page for these documents and more information.

Reimbursement requests must be submitted in full by April 30 annually.

AWPP Timeline

What is an emergency grant?

The AWPP has $5,000 per biennium available in emergency grants funds to assist farmers in directly addressing pressing and recurrent depredation issues that are occurring outside of the regular grant application window. The focus of emergency grants is to remedy active predation and livestock loss, or beaver-related damage of crops or property.

Losses must have taken place within the last 60 days and emergency grant applications should focus on directly addressing the most urgent issue. Applications are promptly reviewed by the grant committee with a response offered as soon as possible.

Benton County residents experiencing depredation, or beaver-related crop loss and/or property damage may apply for an AWPP Emergency Grant any time of year. Please see the 'Apply' webpage for more information.

Who evaluates grant applications? 

Applications are reviewed annually by a panel of representatives from Oregon State University Extension Service, Chintimini Wildlife Center, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other wildlife and agricultural experts.

How are grant applications evaluated?

In general, grants are awarded based on: (1) Agreement between the applicant’s philosophy of animal damage control and goals of the AWPP, (2) Likely effectiveness of the proposed non-lethal deterrents project plan, and (3) Availability of funds.

Once I am notified of an award, what next?

Successful applicants will be notified of award on the first week of January annually.
Grant awardees will have until April 30 to fully install and implement the deterrents funded by AWPP during that award cycle.
Grant recipients will also need to schedule a site visit from the Benton County AWPP Coordinator to confirm implementation of awarded funds and be eligible for reimbursement.

How do I get reimbursed?

Once the farm visit is complete, the grant recipient will fill out brief paperwork including a Check Request Form and Form W-9.
All itemized receipts for the reimbursable grant expenses, including labor costs, must be included for reimbursement.
Reimbursible purchases or expenses must be for approved items only, and take place during the implementation window (AFTER AWARD) to be eligible for reimbursement. Itemized receipts must be provided and fully reimbursed by June 30th annually.

Can somebody be awarded multiple AWPP grants?

Yes, but not in the same year. The applicant may also wish to submit an ‘Additional Site Form’ where non-lethal deterrents are also employed at alternate or additional locations than those originally applied for.
Funding priority will be placed on first-time awardees.

Are there other requirements for grant recipients?

Awardees agree to submit annual reports for three years after an AWPP award. Project evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of the AWPP program and will ensure that it will continue to support Benton County farmers.
A full list of Terms of Agreement and Grant Requirements can be found on the AWPP Grant Application Form and should be read carefully before applying.

Can I use lethal deterrents if I have received an AWPP grant?

Awardees agree not to use any non-selective lethal methods of wildlife control such as traps, snares, calling-and-shooting, denning (killing animals in their burrows or dens), or poisons for three years after grant award.
In exception, targeted killing of a wild animal may be used only when an animal is caught in the act of biting, wounding, killing or chasing healthy livestock, all state and federal rules and regulations still apply.
Please see the Application Form for further details.

What other resources does the AWPP program provide?

The AWPP provides expert advice on non-lethal wildlife deterrents. A list of Program Advisors can be found on the ‘About the Program’ page (https://www.co.benton.or.us/awpp/page/about-awpp).
The AWPP has a ‘Lending Toolbox’ which includes a variety of non-lethal deterrents to try before purchasing or applying for AWPP funds. The Toolbox also includes informational materials and books on co-existing with wildlife. The full list of items in the Toolkit can be found at: www.co.benton.or.us/awpp/page/lending-toolbox.