USDA AWARDS $14 MILLION IN CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2008—Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced $14 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to fund 45 projects in 40 states to develop and refine cutting-edge technologies and approaches that will help farmers conserve and sustain natural resources on their operations.
"Conservation Innovation Grants foster the development of new technologies and approaches to natural resource management and conservation," Schafer said. "The grants we announce today will ultimately result in placing innovative solutions in the hands of our producers, which benefits agriculture and the environment."
Grantees provide matching funds to CIG bringing the total value of the approved projects to more than $28.4 million.
CIG targets innovative, on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Grants go to state and local governments, tribes, non-governmental organizations and individuals.
Approved CIG projects address traditional natural resource issues such as water quantity, water quality improvement, livestock nutrient management, grazing lands and forest health, and soil resource management. The projects also address emerging natural resource issues, including agricultural air emissions, energy conservation and market-based approaches to conservation.
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers CIG, which is part of the Agency's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). NRCS provides technical oversight for each project. Grantees provide technical assistance required to successfully complete their projects.
There were three CIG categories available in fiscal year 2008:
Natural Resource Concerns Category—up to $10 million was available for proposals that address one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns.
Technology Category—up to $5 million was available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG technology categories. This is the third year this component has been offered.
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Category—up to $5 million was made available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Awards for this category were announced on June 10, 2008, and can be found at:
As part of its continuing outreach efforts to minority and underserved communities, USDA will fund eight proposals valued at $2.2 million to help tribes and limited resource producers in 22 states to address natural resource issues as well as energy efficiency and market-based approaches.
CIG funding was awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process. NRCS received applications from every state, Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
Applicants submitted 193 CIG project proposals, requesting $70.7 million in grants. CIG funds for direct or indirect payments to individuals or entities to implement structural, vegetative or management practices are subject to EQIP's statutory payment limitation.
