Contact:
Tracy Robillard
PALMER, Alaska - April 28, 2020 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $15 million investment to support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through June 29, 2020, for national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).
CIG is a competitive grants program that supports development, testing and research of conservation technologies, practices, systems and approaches on private lands. All U.S.-based non-federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. Grantees must match the CIG investment at least one to one.
CIG applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 29, 2020. A webinar for potential applicants is scheduled for 3 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2020. Information on how to participate in the webinar is posted on the national CIG website.
This year’s priorities for the CIG program are water reuse, water quality, air quality, energy and wildlife habitat.
“Through Conservation Innovation Grants, we’re able to co-invest with partners on the next generation of agricultural conservation solutions,” said Alan McBee, State Conservationist in Alaska. “Conservation Innovation Grants have helped spur new tools and technologies to conserve natural resources, build resilience in producers’ operations and improve their bottom lines.”
Other Conservation Innovation Funding Opportunities
This funding opportunity is separate from an earlier announcement made for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials. On-Farm Trials are a new CIG component created by the 2018 Farm Bill, which includes funding for soil health demonstration projects. The deadline for the On-Farm CIG component has been extended to May 29.
Additionally the NRCS State Office in Palmer, Alaska is offering a state-level CIG competition offering up to $445,000 for eligible individuals, local and state governments, non-governmental organizations, and tribes. The deadline to apply for the State CIG is May 15, 2020.
View this announcement on the national NRCS website.
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