NEW: FY-2016 CIG Proposals must be received by NRCS before 4:00 p.m. on May 31, 2016.
Overview
Conservation Innovation Grants are designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection related to agricultural production on private agricultural lands. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal entities, including non-governmental organizations, tribes and individuals.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers CIG. CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to spur technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the nation's most pressing natural resource challenges. CIG, which is voluntary, will benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Grantees must work with producers and forestland owners to demonstrate innovative approaches to improve soil health, air and water quality, conserve energy and enhance wildlife habitat in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG requires a 50-50 match between the agency and the grantee. The extremely competitive CIGs are offered nationally and statewide.
- The CIG State Component offers eligible entities the opportunity to apply for grants up to $75,000. This competition is limited to applications for projects in South Carolina.
South Carolina applicants can apply to the National program, the State program, or both programs.
2015 State Conservation Innovation Grants
The four statewide CIGs in FY 2015 were:
- Clemson University will use real-time farm weather information and site-specific soil and crop information to help producers in South Carolina’s 46 counties make better irrigation decisions. Funding – ($74,998).
- Dillon Soil and Water Conservation District will demonstrate the tangible benefits of soil health by creating demonstrations of the tangible benefits of crop, soil health and economic impacts of tillage and cover crop systems. (Funding – ($74,481).
- The University of South Carolina will demonstrate soil health conservation practices that can reduce aflatoxin, a natural toxin. (Funding – ($74,516).
- Longleaf Alliance will transfer knowledge of prescribed burning to landowners and provide practical knowledge and hand-on training to resource professionals. The goal is to increase longleaf ecosystem restoration. (Funding - $69,192).
South Carolina State CIG Application Package Materials
If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Sabrenna Bryant at 803-765-5419.
The following documents require Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word
2016 SC State Component of CIG (Application) (PDF; 14 MB) NEW!
CIG Supporting Documents for Applicants
For more information, please visit National CIG Homepage
(You are leaving the NRCS in South Carolina page)
CONTACT:
Angela Snell, CIG Program Assistant
angela.snell@sc.usda.gov
(803) 765-5682
