The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is seeking applications for its Clean Water Fund Soil Health Supplemental Staffing Grants.
Donor Name: Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/08/2024
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Minnesota Office for Soil Health (MOSH) identifies a set of principles for soil health:
- Keep the soil covered
- Minimize disturbance
- Keep living roots in the ground
- Diversify rotations
- Integrate livestock when/where feasible
The purpose of this phase of programming is to create additional local points of contact to work with landowners on increasing utilization of soil health practices and systems that advance the principles of soil health.
- Trusted Local Expertise. Among the common themes that emerged in stakeholder discussions for the state soil health action framework are the challenges of building expertise in soil health practices and meeting demands for that expertise, across both the public and private sectors. This grant program is designed to direct state resources toward staffing that can help meet these needs at the local level.
- Expand public-private partnerships across multiple sectors and activities. Public agencies, NGOs, and private companies share many goals for improving soil health across the agricultural sector. In addition to supporting new staff positions, partnerships can expand and enhance collaboration in the areas of research and market and supply chain development.
- Support and increase mentorship and peer-to-peer learning support through positions and people who can facilitate connections and farmer-driven learning opportunities.
Funding Information
Funding availability will be partially dependent on USDA NRCS-RCPP awards and associated considerations. BWSR anticipates awarding up to $25,000,000 of state funding for this grant program.
Eligible Activities
Consists of the employee’s base hourly rate plus the costs of benefits, leave, and facilities; and administration costs necessary to keep a person employed and an office running.
- Staffing
- Funds may be used to employ the proportion of an FTE or FTEs or for contractual staffing arrangements with other public or private sector organizations dedicated to Soil Health related Outreach, Education, Training and Technical support which also supplement the capacity of the district to deliver existing programing and the additional proposed soil health related activities.
- Project Start Up
- Awarded positions may request up to $10,000 (prorated per full FTE) for ONE TIME position startup costs which can include but are not limited to office supplies, computers or other needed materials to ensure the position can be functional upon starting their duties.
- Grant Management and Reporting
- All grant recipients are required to report on the outcomes, activities, and accomplishments. A reasonable use of grant funds may be requested for local grant management and reporting that are directly related to and necessary for supporting the proportion of FTEs or contractual staffing.
- Supplemental
- While soil health supplemental capacity itself may have been added in FY 24 only expenses incurred after the execution of the grant agreement are eligible for payment.
Eligibility Criteria
The following entities are eligible:
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) individually or in partnership working under a current State approved and locally adopted local water management plan, comprehensive watershed management plan or soil and water conservation district comprehensive plan.
Applicable plans must be current when the Board approves awards to be eligible to receive grant funds as defined under the Board’s Local Water Plan Status and Grant Eligibility Policy. Applicants must also be in compliance with all applicable federal, State, and local laws, policies, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
For more information, visit BWSR.
