Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
Donor Name: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
State: Virginia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/10/2024
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production in the United States and its territories. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into government technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches, or private forest lands.
CIG Priorities for FY 2024
- Soil Health Topic Area
- Innovation in the area of practical integrated conservation agronomy implementation, especially annual commodity cropping systems and interface of soil building practices (crop rotations, conservation tillage, cover crops, etc.) with enhanced nutrient management.
- Innovation in the area of soil carbon amendment as defined by the new Virginia 336 conservation practice should go over and above the Virgina Practice Standard, with emphasis on development of practical guidance to help address current real-world grower questions related to soil amendment with both biochar and compost in Virginia.
- Urban Agriculture Topic Area
- Urban farms come with unique conservation challenges and opportunities. NRCS conservation activities can support urban farmers in their efforts to produce local, healthy, and sustainably grown food for their communities. Current urban ag-appropriate NRCS practices help improve soil health, address irrigation and water conservation needs, help farmers with weeds & pest management, and promote the establishment of high tunnels to extend the growing season. NRCS requests proposals that demonstrate innovations in the conservation of natural resources in urban agricultural contexts.
- Indigenous Knowledge Topic Area
- Incorporating indigenous knowledge and stewardship methods into conservation planning processes can reveal innovative conservation methods and practices that are culturally relevant to tribal nations and indigenous peoples. Indigenous conservation management systems and practices, including culturally traditional crops or indigenous management practices, can increase future agriculture and forestry resilience. The attention of this priority area is innovative ideas that can increase conservation in Virginia based on indigenous knowledge, priorities, and perspectives.
- Forestry Knowledge Topic Area:
- Agro-Forestry: Innovative designs for agro-forestry installations in Virginia’s various cover types and topography.
- Use native plants for the newly adopted Virginia conservation practice standard 397 Forest Farming to create robust and diverse stands of secondary forest products with varying light availability, slope, and soil properties.
- Demonstrate the development and installation of shelterbelts (CPS 380) considering tree species selection, spacing, and layout, while evaluating alternative methods of tree protection during establishment.
- Carbon Sequestration and Storage: Innovative approaches to creating long term carbon sequestration and storage in Virginia.
- Agro-Forestry: Innovative designs for agro-forestry installations in Virginia’s various cover types and topography.
Funding Information
- NRCS Virginia expects to award approximately $1,200,000.00
- Award Ceiling: $900,000
- Award Floor: $25,000
Performance Period
Projects may be between one and three years in duration.
Eligibility Criteria
All U.S. non-Foreign, non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Virginia. U.S. Federal agencies are not eligible to apply to this opportunity or impart their work to non-federal portion of the budget. Individuals that are business owner/operators cannot apply as individuals.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
