USDA Seeks Grant Applications to Improve Water and Air Quality

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking proposals for grants to improve water quality, air quality and promote energy conservation. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making available $25 million through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program to address natural resource concerns nationwide, with a special emphasis on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and the Mississippi River Basin.

"The Obama Administration is committed to ensuring private lands are conserved, restored and more resilient to environmental challenges like climate change," said Vilsack. "USDA is seeking grant applications from farmers, ranchers and our conservation partners to solve America's natural resource challenges."

Now in its eighth year, the CIG program offers funding dedicated to the adoption of technologies to address a broad range of agricultural issues. For example, the Michigan Department of Agriculture worked with Michigan State University and agricultural landowners to establish conservation practices for high-risk erosion areas, with a goal of reducing sediment and nutrient runoff.

Successful applicants will demonstrate that their projects use innovative, on-the-ground conservation approaches and technologies. Funds will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process with applications being accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands). Applications will be accepted from all eligible individuals, non-federal governments and non-governmental organizations, including federally recognized tribes and private businesses.

This year, a two-phase competitive process will be implemented. In phase one, all applicants will be required to submit a pre-proposal; in phase two, only those applicants selected during the pre-proposal phase will be asked to submit a full application package. All proposed CIG projects must involve producers who are eligible for NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which offers financial and technical assistance to help producers implement conservation practices on agricultural land.

The federal contribution for a single project cannot exceed $1 million. At least 50% of the total cost of the project must come from non-federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee. Grants are available for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years. Proposed projects must comply with the description of innovative conservation projects or activities established in the Announcement for Program Funding.

Source: USDA