$375,000 Available to Stimulate Innovative Conservation Approaches in California

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USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service

May 05, 2010, 06:10 ET

Conservation Innovation Grant Applications due June 4, 2010

DAVIS, Calif., May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office announced $375,000 to fund local projects designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies through its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2010.

"I want to encourage California's agriculture community and partners to apply for this funding," said Ed Burton, NRCS California State Conservationist. "These grants provide funding to demonstrate innovative practices and technologies, which will assist California's farmers and ranchers."

These competitive grants seek to foster creative solutions to assist California's farmers and ranchers with emerging and traditional agricultural and natural resource issues. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems and innovative approaches into NRCS technical manuals or guides or to the private sector. In addition, in 2010, NRCS California is interested in evaluating the impacts of High Tunnel Systems, also known as Hoop Houses, on soil, water, plant or related resources in order to quantify environmental benefits associated with this practice.

CIG, a component of NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), provides competitive grants to federally-recognized Indian tribes, state and local units of governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals. CIG funds one-to-three year projects that targets innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

Applications must demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches, or both, to address at least one sub-category as follows:

Natural Resource Category: Water Quality-Livestock, Water Quality-Not Livestock, Water Quantity, Soils Resources, Atmospheric Resources, Grazing Land, Forest Health, Wildlife Habitat or On-Farm Energy Resources.
Technology Category: Improved On-Farm Energy Efficiency, Water Management - Drainage Water and Irrigation Water, Improved Nutrient Management to Improve Water Quality, Air Quality or Conservation Technology Transfer to Targeted Groups of Farmers and Ranchers.

"This is a real opportunity for our University of California, California State University and Cooperative Extension offices to help expand our knowledge in key issues facing farmers and ranchers," added Burton.

USDA encourages beginning farmers and ranchers, limited resource farmers or ranchers, Indian tribes or community-based organizations that service these groups to apply for grants. Ten percent of the total funding is being set aside for this purpose.

Full applications must be submitted in writing by June 4, 2010, to Roney Gutierrez, USDA NRCS California, 430 G Street #4164, Davis, CA 95616. All CIG projects must include agricultural producers who meet EQIP eligibility requirements.

For more information on CIG, please visit your local NRCS field office or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cig/index.html.

SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service