The United States Department of Agriculture’s, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA, NRCS), has a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Competitive Cooperative Agreements focused on soil health outreach activities in Utah.
Donor Name: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
State: Utah
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/08/2023
Size of the Grant: $550,000
Grant Duration: 5 years
Details:
The USDA, NRCS is inviting proposals from experienced, eligible, non-federal entities that specialize in conducting workshops, conventions, field days, and trainings for Utah farmers, producers, ranchers, NRCS staff, and partners.
The objective of the Soil and Water Conservation Program is to provide conservation technical assistance to private landowners, conservation districts, tribes, and other organizations through a national network of locally-respected, technically-skilled, professional conservationists and assist them in conserving, improving and sustaining their natural resources and environment.
Applicants are expected to propose innovative, evidence-based outreach strategies that effectively engage diverse audiences, including historically underserved communities and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The program aims to enhance the capacity of Utah agricultural producers and NRCS staff to implement and promote soil health conservation practices, while fostering collaboration among stakeholders and partners.
Proposals are required to provide a detailed plan outlining their proposed outreach activities, including target audiences, event format, curriculum, evaluation metrics, and outreach methods. The proposals should also include a clear budget and timeline for the proposed activities. Applicants are encouraged to partner with relevant stakeholders, such as Utah State University Extension, local conservation districts, and commodity groups to maximize outreach impact and promote sustainability. Successful proposals will demonstrate a strong understanding of soil health science, effective communication, and stakeholder engagement.
The Notice of Funding will support projects that promote and enhance soil health in Utah. As part of this effort, the program will feature presentations from distinguished experts in the field of soil health. The keynote speaker will provide insights into the latest research, techniques, and best practices related to soil health, while technical speakers will provide practical information and guidance to help farmers and other stakeholders improve their soil health practices. The program will also feature soil health champion farmers from Utah and nearby states who have successfully implemented soil health practices on their farms. These speakers will share their experiences and offer practical advice to help others implement similar practices.
The funding will be used to provide various activities including soil health demonstrations, soil health assessment trainings, and trade shows focusing on soil health. Soil health demonstrations will showcase best practices for improving soil health, including the use of cover crops, conservation tillage, and other sustainable farming techniques. Soil health assessment trainings will educate farmers on how to assess the health of their soil, including soil testing and analysis, and how to interpret the results. Trade shows focusing on soil health will bring together farmers, researchers, and industry experts to showcase the latest innovations and best practices for promoting soil health. These events will provide an opportunity for attendees to network, learn from each other, and stay up to date on the latest developments in soil health.
Overall, this funding will support efforts to improve soil health in the agricultural industry by providing practical education and resources to farmers and other stakeholders. The program aims to promote soil health conservation practices in Utah, increase awareness and understanding of soil health among agricultural stakeholders, and foster collaboration among stakeholders and partners to achieve these goals. Proposed projects must be performed in Utah.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $550,000
- Award Ceiling: $550,000
- Award Floor: $100,000
Performance Period
Projects may be 1 and 5 years in duration.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- State governments
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
