Stories about our partners' outreach projects funded through Equity in Conservation outreach cooperative agreements.
Outreach in Action
The Equity in Conservation outreach cooperative agreements fund projects that expand the delivery of conservation assistance to producers who are new to farming, are low-income, identify as one or more marginalized race or ethnicity, and/or are military veterans. The program, which is managed by the Outreach and Partnerships Division, encourages new partnerships and the development of state and community leadership for underserved producers, with projects focusing on key conservation priorities.
Following are stories about our partners' outreach projects in action.
Partner Stories
Northern Utah Couple Grows Big Dreams in Community Garden
The community garden received an $80,000 award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements program.
Partner Spotlight: Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council
The Limestone Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council in Georgia was awarded a $123,100 cooperative agreement to provide “Outreach in Market Gardening for Northwest Georgia,” partnering with local groups connected to underserved populations.
Partner Spotlight: Soil and Water Conservation Society
The Soil and Water Conservation Society partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop A Conservation Professionals’ Guide to Diversity, Equitable and Inclusive Conservation Delivery Among the Historically Underserved through an Equity in Conservation cooperative agreement.
Partner Spotlight: Urban Transformation Network
The Urban Transformation Network (UTN), which was awarded an Equity in Conservation Outreach cooperative agreement by the NRCS in 2022 for their Chicagoland Collaborative Project, embarked on a two-day tour of Washington, D.C., aimed at promoting urban agriculture and celebrating cultural diversity.
Partner Spotlight: Africulture
Africulture, a Virginia-based nonprofit, is helping farmers improve farming practices to increase their yields, markets, and sustainability through an Equity in Conservation cooperative agreement.
Partner Spotlight: Ridges to Reefs
Ridges to Reefs, a non-profit organization that protects and restores coastal and coral reef ecosystems, designed and implemented a project to help Pacific Islands producers through an Equity in Conservation cooperative agreement.
Partner Spotlight: Third Sector New England
Immigrants and refugees are a fast-growing segment of the U.S. population and important members of the “next generation” of American farmers.
Partner Spotlight: Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture
The Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture is working with the Tohono O’odham Nation in southern Arizona to preserve and revitalize traditional O’odham seeds, agriculture, and culture, including dryland farming.
Partner Spotlight: Sand County Foundation
The Sand County Foundation seeks to inspire and empower agricultural landowners and land managers to embrace conservation opportunities. SCF was awarded $342,700 in 2022 for its project “Amplifying the Reach and Impact of the Land Ethic Mentorship for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers.
Additional Information
Outreach and Partnerships
Outreach is an integral part of NRCS program and service delivery. Effective outreach helps to ensure that information services and programs reaches all existing and potential customers in a timely and fair manner.
Learn MoreEquity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements
The Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements fund projects to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to producers who are new to farming, are low-income, identify as one or more marginalized race or ethnicity, and/or are military veterans.
Learn More