USDA Invites Applications for Cooperative Agreement Proposals Focusing on Resiliency of California Agriculture

DAVIS, Calif., April 19, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is seeking cooperative agreement proposals through June 1, 2022, to assist NRCS in California in carrying out our mission. This announcement invites applications from outreach and conservation organizations with a focus on California NRCS conservation program implementation.

“NRCS is continuously working to expand our conservation footprint in all communities in California,” said NRCS State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. “We’re doing our part in helping America’s farmers and ranchers conserve the natural resources we all depend on, like clean air and water, while supporting the health and resiliency of their operations for the future. Cooperative agreements with partners are an important tool that helps us get more conservation on the ground.”

The amount of funding available for successful agreements will range between $25,000.00 and $75,000.00 per award. Up to $1,000,000 is potentially available under this announcement. This Notice of Funding Opportunity is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2022. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

Proposals focusing on the resiliency of California agriculture by addressing climate smart agriculture through six target resource concerns will be prioritized. The six target resource concerns include plant productivity and forest health, air quality, water quality, water quantity, soil health/soil quality, and wildlife habitat. California.

Emphasis will be given to projects that provide direct technical assistance to NRCS staff in the implementation of Farm Bill conservation programs. California NRCS will continue to prioritize a full spectrum of partnerships that includes Tribes, urban producers, and partners working on behalf of Historically Underserved sectors of our farming, ranching and forestry communities.

More Information
Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (8:59 p.m. Pacific Time) on June 1, 2022. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov. Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

NRCS anticipates making selections by June 15, 2022, and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

More information is available on www.grants.gov in Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-CA-22-MULTI-NOFO0001194.

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