USDA recently announced it is investing up to $12.5 million to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through July 30, 2019, for national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding opportunities.
CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving that boosts production on farms and private forests – ultimately, they improve water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat. All U.S.-based non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply.
CIG support the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of conservation technologies, practices, and systems and approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption. Grantees must match the CIG investment at least one to one.
The 2019 CIG priorities are:
● Increasing the pace and scale of conservation adoption
● Water quantity
● Pollinator habitat
● Urban agriculture
The complete funding announcement information can be accessed through the Conservation Innovation Grants webpage. The National CIG program supports early pilot projects or demonstrations of promising conservation approaches.
National CIG program is distinct from the $25 million announced on May 15 for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials. On-Farm Trials is a new CIG component created by the 2018 Farm Bill. On-Farm Trials include a Soil Health Demo Trial.
Applications for this national CIG must be submitted through Grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 30, 2019. Please visit www.nrcs.usda.gov for more information on USDA NRCS programs or services.
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