South Dakota Ag Connection - USDA's NRCS Calls for Conservation Innovation Grant Proposals in South Dakota

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USDA's NRCS Calls for Conservation Innovation Grant Proposals in South Dakota
South Dakota Ag Connection - 06/05/2023

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has announced a call for proposals for its state-level Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for projects implemented in South Dakota. The deadline for submissions is June 23, 2023.

Innovation grants improve agriculture conservation practices, enhancing productivity on farms and ranches by facilitating the development and deployment of successful approaches.

The NRCS has earmarked up to $150,000 for the Fiscal Year 2023 CIG competition. This sum can fund multiple or single award projects. The program encourages collaboration between the NRCS and its partners to execute and assess the impact of on-the-ground conservation activities. Participating producers receive incentive payments to offset the risk of implementing innovative methods.

Funded through the USDA NRCSâ€™ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) as authorized by the Farm Bill, the CIG supports the USDA's commitment to applying latest science and conservation tools to mitigate climate change impacts.

Potential grant recipients are required to match at least 50% of the total project costs with non-federal funds, which may include cash, in-kind contributions, or a mix of both. These funds can be allocated to single or multi-year projects, not exceeding a three-year term.

Sunseri South Dakota State Conservationist based in Huron expressed that projects under CIG, carried out in collaboration with their partners, are anticipated to advance the spread of conservation technologies, management practices, and innovative approaches. These developments are not only intended for agricultural producers, but also aim to enhance government technical resources and the broader private sector.

Critical to each proposal is the project evaluation, which must feature strong scientific approaches, yielding data and analyses on environmental, financial, and, where possible, social impacts of the trials. Full details on the national and South Dakota priorities, eligibility, application forms, and proposal specifications for CIG funding are available on the respective https://www.grants.gov/ announcements.

New applicants can register on https://www.grants.gov/ by clicking on "Applicants", then "Get Registered. The Notice of Funding Opportunity Number is USDA-NRCS-SD-CIG-23-NOFO0001308.

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