Source: USDA NRCS, 9/17/14

USDA announced it is investing $15.7 million through grants to 47 entities that will help develop and demonstrate cutting-edge ideas to accelerate innovation in private lands conservation.

Recipients of USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grants will demonstrate innovative approaches to improve soil health, air and water quality, conserve energy, and enhance wildlife habitat in balance with productive agricultural systems. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service administers this competitive grants program.

“Conservation Innovation Grants activate creativity and problem-solving to benefit conservation-minded farmers and ranchers,” said NRCS State Conservationist Tim Beard.  “These grants are critical in sparking new ideas and techniques for conservation on America’s private lands and strengthening rural communities. Everyone relies on our nation’s natural resources for food, fiber and clean water and will benefit from these grants.”

Seven of the approved grants support conservation technologies and approaches to help farmers and ranchers who historically have not had equal access to agricultural programs because of race or ethnicity, or who have limited resources, or who are beginning farmers and ranchers.

Of the 47 grants announced, three are in North Carolina:

• North Carolina Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation, Inc. (NC) $124,411: Defining Best Management Practices for Multi-Species Cover Crops in the Southeastern USA.



• North Carolina State University (NC) $121,094:Engineered Windbreak Wall-Vegetative Strip System to Reduce Pollutant and Odor Emissions from Mechanically-Ventilated Broiler and Swine Barns.



• North Carolina State University (NC, GA) $995,710 Soil Health in Diverse Forage Systems on Beef Farms.

A full list of recipients is available here: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig/

The grants are funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Grantees must work with producers and forestland owners to develop and demonstrate the new technologies and approaches.

At least 50 percent of the total cost of CIG projects must come from non-federal matching funds, including cash and in-kind contributions provided by the grant recipient.
NRCS has offered this grant program since 2004, investing in ways to demonstrate and transfer efficient and environmentally friendly farming and ranching. In the past years, the grants have helped develop trading markets for water quality and have shown how farmers and ranchers may use fertilizer, water and energy more efficiently.
For more on this grant program, visit USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grants webpage.