The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas has opportunities for Texas partners to receive funding through agreements as part of the Texas Partners for Conservation Program.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas has opportunities for Texas partners to receive funding through agreements as part of the Texas Partners for Conservation Program.
The program is designed to leverage NRCS resources, address local natural resource issues, encourage collaboration, and develop state and community level conservation leadership. Its purpose is to accelerate the development of conservation plans that will address environmental quality issues on agricultural lands within Texas and outreach to Historically Underserved producers and clients.
Priority will be placed on project topics addressing Outreach and Education to Historically Underserved Producers and Clients*.
Priority Overview:
Outreach and Education to Historically Underserved Producers and Clients
- Increase outreach to historically underserved agriculture producers
- Expand Conservation Technical Assistance to increase conservation planning and promote USDA NRCS Farm Bill Programs
Farm Bill Operations
- Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry - support delivery of conservation practices that provide quantifiable carbon sequestration and/or greenhouse gas reductions
- Urban and Small Farm Agriculture - conservation technical assistance and training
- Increase field office capacity to assist historically underserved agriculture producers with conservation planning and implementation of conservation practices
- Conservation Technical Assistance -
- Expand Conservation Technical Assistance to private landowners
- Increase capacity for landscape planning and application to include Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Watershed Operations, and Emergency Watershed Protection
* Historically underserved producers are those that fall under the categories of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers.
Funding
NRCS Texas expects to allocate funding to this effort annually. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. The funding floor is $25,000, and the ceiling is $200,000. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.
Applicant Information
Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award.
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
- Special district governments
- State governments
How to Apply
All funding applications must be submitted via grants.gov by April 24,2023. For assistance with the registration process, contact grants.gov applicant support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.
Training Requirement for Successful Applicants
Successful applicants are required to have an administrative and technical contact participate in the Texas NRCS training for Administration of Federal Agreements. This training is usually held within six months of the award start date. Watch the training webinar below.
