CIG Projects Summary - Florida

Florida Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Projects:

1. Project Title: Cherry Lake Shoreline Revitaliation and Viofiltration Project
   Lead Partner: Cherrylake Inc
   Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2023
   Project Dates: 1/2/2024 - 12/30/2027
   Increase GI awareness and utilization to improve and protect Florida's waters, adoption of climate-smart, conservation approaches and sustainable development models and foster stakeholder partnership.

    

2. Project Title: Converting seepage irrigated agriculture to a gravity-powered micro-irrigation: An innovative, cost efficient approach to water conservation adn nutrient management in the St. Johns River Water Management District
   Lead Partner: N-Drip
   Fiscal Year Project Approved:  2023
   Project Dates: 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2025
   Increase knowledge  and awareness of gravity-powered micro-irrigation and digital decision support systems, convert at lease 80 acres of seepage irrigated fields to gravity-powered micro-irrigation, and as a result, save water and reduce fertilizer leaching and runoff. 

    

3. Project Title: Evaluation of Climate Resilient Urban Agricultural conservation Practices to Improve Soil Health
   Lead Partner: Florida International University
   Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2023
   Project Dates: 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2026
   To evaluate and implement the various conservation practices such as salt tolerant cover crops, nutrient management practices such as biochar and vermicomposting and agricultural monitoring through remote sensing, which would result in increased soil carbon, decrease in soil erosion and nutrient losses, leading to efficient climate smart crop production systems.

    

4. Project Title: Grazing gegimes enhancing soil carbon sequestration and water conservation in subtropical grazed wetlands
   Lead Partner: Archibold Expeditions, Inc
   Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2023
   Project Dates: 1/16/2024 - 1/15/2027
   Assess new virtual fencing technology in comparison to traditional fencing and evaluate the feasibility of utilizing virtual fencing for wetland management and conservation on ranchlands

5. Project Title: Developing UAV technology to improve brush management in Florida's grazing lands
   Lead Partner: Archibold Expeditions, Inc
   Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2022
   Project Dates: 5/3/2023 - 1/16/2026
   To develop innovative UAV technology to better identify and quantify brush and improve data collection and management in Florida's grazing lands

    

6. Project Title: Rhizomal Perennial Peanut cover crop in Citrus Production
   Lead Partner: IMG Citrus Inc
   Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2022
   Project Dates: 4/24/2023 - 3/15/2026
   An implementation, and on-farm research and demonstration project that integrates rhizome perennial peanut cover crop in citrus groves as a soil management best practice.

    

7. Project Title: Studying the extent of microplastic transport by stormwater runoff to urban farms under different weather patterns 
   Lead Partner: Florida State University
   Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2022
   Project Dates: 7/7/2023 - 2/1/2026
   Evaluate the efficiency of rain gardens, as a selected conservation practice to mitigate microplastic pollution in urban farms, thereby guiding on proposing effective plans to prevent and mitigate this pollution using green infrastructure.  

    

8. Project Title: Virtual Fence
   Lead Partner: Blackbeard's Ranch
   Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2022
   Project Dates: 3/23/2023 - 3/15/2026
   To show virtual fence is a helpful tool that works towards the long-term agroecosystem goals. 

    

9. Project Title: Evaluation of High Tunnel Systems on Dragon Fruit Production in South Florida
   Lead Partner: Florida International University
   Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2021
   Project dates: 1/7/2022 - 12/31/2024
   To study the feasibility of high-tunnel pitaya production to increase plant productivity, reduce production and economic risks, and improve soil and water conservation in South Florida.

    

10. Project Title: Geothermal High Tunnel Learning Center
    Lead Partner: United Farmers Alliance
    Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2021
    Project Dates: 1/7/2022 - 10/30/2023
    To provide climate-controlled setting to grow crops year round and provide proper training and education for farmers to duplicate system results.

     

11. Project Title: Precision Systems for Waste Mediation and Agrivoltaic Production in South West Florida
    Lead Partner: Florida Gulf Coast University
    Fiscal Year Project Approved: 2021
    Project Dates: 1/18/2022 - 1/17/2025
    Increasing the efficiency of resource utilization (including 'waste' material), profitability, sustainability of existing urban and near urban farms.

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