Deadline for USDA Conservation Innovation Grant Pre-proposals January 31

MORGANTOWN, WV, January 5, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reminded applicants that January 31, 2012, is the last day to submit project pre-proposals for fiscal year 2012 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Pre-proposals support large-scale demonstration projects that test and prove original approaches to conserving America’s private lands.

“These conservation grants continue to generate exciting new ideas that help farmers and ranchers run sustainable and profitable operations and address high-priority natural resource concerns,” said Kevin Wickey, West Virginia State Conservationist. “We are proud to encourage the advancement of innovative conservation methods that will benefit producers, the public and the economy for years to come.”

This year’s CIG projects focus on nutrient management, energy conservation, soil health, wildlife and CIG projects assessment. NRCS is especially interested in projects that demonstrate:

• Optimal combinations of nutrient source, application rate, placement and timing that improve nutrient recovery by crops.

• Procedures for refining the usefulness of the phosphorous index in reducing phosphorous losses.

• Suites of conservation practices that protect water quality.

• Renewable energy systems that reduce the use of fossil fuels and increase energy efficiency on farms.

• The impacts of cover crops, crop rotations, tillage and other conservation practices on soil health.

• Conservation practices that increase the water-holding capacity of soils.

• Decision tools that help producers assess their operations and conservation needs in order to improve wildlife habitat.

• Assess the technology transfer potential of completed CIG projects.

Results of successful projects will be included in NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides and references.

There are two types of eligibility for CIG – applicant eligibility and project eligibility. For applicant eligibility, applicants must be one of the following: a State or local government; a non-governmental organization; or a private individual.

For project eligibility, the proposed project or activity must encompass the development and assessment, evaluation and implementation of either of the following: conservation adoption approaches or incentive systems, including market-based systems; or promising conservation technologies, practices, systems, procedures or activities. Landowners must meet Environmental Quality Incentives Program (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip) eligibility requirements defined in 16 U.S.C. Section 3839aa-1 (http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/16C58.txt) .

CIG funds will be awarded through a competitive grant process. 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.

To apply electronically, visit http://www.grants.gov/ or contact a local NRCS office. To view the complete Announcement of Program Funding, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cig/.

Last year, several area projects received CIG grant funding.

• West Virginia University received $134,974 for the Flow-through Aquaponics to Improve Water Quality and Generate Income project. Aquaculture (farming with fish or other aquatic organisms) can produce nutrients leading to water quality degradation. Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture and a viable plant-growing operation at the same time.

• The American Chestnut Foundation received $541,136 to establish forest plantings on reclaimed mine sites in Appalachia. The study includes a comprehensive and innovative method supporting the long-term maintenance and monitoring of restored sites and leverages landowners to convert non-native grasslands on reclaimed mine sites into high-quality, healthy forest ecosystems.

• The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation received $848,424 to study using excess manure to generate farm income in Chesapeake Bay phosphorus hotspots. Manure will be converted into energy and the nutrient dense byproduct may be used as a fertilizer that can be applied at reduced rates or transported out of the watershed. Manure will be transformed from a liability to an asset.

• The Electrical Power Research Institute received $1,000,000 to pilot test interstate water quality trading in the Ohio River Basin. The objectives of the project are to test key technical, regulatory, and economic components by completing interstate water-quality trades between farmers and industry point sources.

For more information about NRCS conservation programs, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov or visit your local USDA service center.

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