Federal programs, grants, and vendor financing options
| Funding Type | Typical Coverage | Best For | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| NRCS EQIP | 75-90% cost-share | Virtual fencing, water infrastructure | Prescribed grazing plan required |
| FSA Operating Loans | Up to $400,000 | Equipment purchases, operating costs | Credit eligibility |
| PERC Conservation Fund | $10,000-$75,000 grants | Conservation-focused VF projects | Wildlife/habitat benefit |
| WWF RSVP Program | Up to 50% (max $60K) | Northern Great Plains ranchers | RSVP enrollment |
| Carbon Credit Programs | 100% upfront costs | Willing to share carbon credits | Multi-year commitment |
The NRCS updated its national fence practice standard (Code 382) in October 2024 to include virtual fencing technology. This is a major development that makes VF eligible for EQIP cost-share nationwide.
Montana
Virtual Fencing TIP for Eastern Montana counties
Nevada
New practice for FY 2025
North Dakota
Cross fencing scenarios allowed
Iowa
For grazing crop residues, cover crops, stockpiled forages
Up to $400K
Up to 7 years for equipment
Rate: 4.625% (July 2025)
Up to $600K
Up to 40 years for land
Up to $50K
Simplified application
Designed for small/beginning farmers
America's first dedicated virtual fencing grant program
2025 Round: $400,000+ awarded, 160+ applications, 8 ranches funded
Grant Range: $10,000 - $75,000
Eligible: Ranchers, conservation orgs, Indigenous communities
Northern Great Plains (MT, Dakotas, WY, NE)
Program Scope: 112 ranches, 1.3 million acres
Max Cost-Share: 50% of project cost (max $60,000/ranch)
VF Pilots: 5 in Montana, 1 in South Dakota
Kateri fronts ALL upfront costs for GPS tracking collars and infrastructure—ranchers pay nothing out of pocket.
"The whole idea that you could get a company to pay for everything up front was completely foreign to me. It almost sounded too good to be true." — Ben Anson, Pitchfork Ranch, Wyoming
70/30 revenue share model
Infrastructure funding program
Bank partnerships with preferential rates
US: Partnership with BLM for ranchers on public lands
Only VF provider with leasing option
Consumer financing available
Virtual fencing base stations cost $4,500-$12,000 each and can cover 10-12 mile diameter areas. Neighboring ranchers can share infrastructure to reduce per-operation costs by up to 80%.
| Scenario | Individual Cost | Cooperative (5 ranchers) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Vence base station | $10,000 | $2,000/ranch | 80% |
| 2 Halter towers | $9,000 | $1,800/ranch | 80% |
| Connectivity infrastructure | $2,000-5,000 | $400-1,000/ranch | 80% |
Find your best funding options based on your situation:
| Your Situation | Best Options | Second-Best |
|---|---|---|
| Small operation (<100 head), limited capital | FSA Microloans, EQIP cost-share, Vence leasing | Carbon credit programs, Nofence pay-later |
| Beginning farmer (first 10 years) | EQIP (90% cost-share), FSA beginning farmer programs | Steward loans |
| Conservation-focused operation | PERC grants, WWF RSVP, TNC pilots | EQIP with prescribed grazing |
| Northern Great Plains location | WWF RSVP ($60K max), PERC Fund | Montana NRCS TIP, carbon credit programs |
| Willing to commit to carbon credits | Kateri (100% covered), Grassroots Carbon, Native | Use payments to fund tech purchases |
| Multiple neighboring ranchers | Cooperative base station sharing | Joint PERC/EQIP applications |
For maximum funding coverage, apply in this order:
EQIP first
75-90% cost-share, longest processing time
PERC/WWF grants
If conservation-focused, apply while waiting for EQIP
Carbon credit program enrollment
If interested in revenue share model
Vendor financing
For remainder not covered by grants
FSA loans
For operating capital and equipment beyond VF
Pro Tip: Programs can often be stacked. EQIP may cover 75% of collar costs, while PERC covers base station, and carbon credit pre-payments cover your remaining contribution.