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Utah NRCS Invites Proposals for 2023 Conservation Innovation Grants

Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grant process
Topics
UtahWaterSoil HealthUrban AgricultureConservation Innovation GrantsEnvironmental Quality Incentives Program
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Aila Kingma (left) and Faith Anema harvest zucchini at Perkins' Good Earth Farm July 2, 2021. The farm grows a variety of produce year-round to supports its more than 200 member CSA. Perkins’ Good Earth Farm is a certified organic farm and Dan and Julie Perkins practice regenerative agriculture including no-till and cover crops. They have enrolled in multiple CRP, CSP and EQIP contracts through NRCS and FSA to plant wildlife habitat and wind buffers and hedgerows, construct high tunnels and assist with

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a competitive program that supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. 

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, May 8, 2023 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Utah is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. This voluntary program supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands.

CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to address some of the Nation’s most pressing natural resource concerns. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are used under the program to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or nongovernmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals.

Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grant process, with an anticipated total of up to $200,000 available to fund multiple 1 to 3-year projects. Single projects may be eligible to receive $20,000 to $200,000 in funding. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 8, 2023.

Utah NRCS is accepting proposals in the following categories for 2023:

  1. Soil Health: Proposals in this category must support the improvement or adoption of soil health practices in one or more soil health management principles (minimize disturbance, maximize biodiversity, maximize soil cover, maximize living roots, livestock integration). Proposals should reflect a clear understanding of soil health issues in Utah.        
     
  2. Water Optimization Technologies: Proposals in this category must apply innovative technologies that address one of the following irrigation issues.
  • Enhance the efficiency, timing, and placement of irrigation water.
  • Reduce the severity and extent of salinity through irrigation water management.
  • Mitigate the impacts of drought on irrigated cropland through innovations in cropping systems, tillage, or other cultural practices.    
  1. Urban Farming Technologies: Proposals in this category must demonstrate innovative approaches or methods that will support the adoption of conservation practices for farming operations located in urban high-density settings or develop an urban conservation farm showcase to provide training to urban farmers on urban conservation strategies.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the complete announcement to better match their proposals to these needs. The announcement, number USDA-NRCS-UT-CIG-23-NOFO0001286 can be viewed at www.grants.gov. Please note: These grants do not fund research projects. The program is designed to aid the adoption of measures that have been sufficiently studied to indicate a high likelihood of success. Contact your local USDA NRCS Service Center for additional information or to apply.