State-level Conservation Innovation Grants available for South Dakota
Huron (NRCS) – The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces the availability of $150,000 for state-level Conservation Innovations Grants (CIG). Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are used to award competitive grants to federally recognized Indian Tribes, state and local units of government, and non-governmental organizations and individuals. Application period runs from April 26 to May 17, 2013.
South Dakota NRCS is seeking pre-proposals for the state-level CIG program that demonstrate the use of innovative technologies and/or approaches in nutrient management, soil health, or water quality. The allocation of $150,000 has been set aside for this state-level program, with a maximum grant award of $75,000 per project. Pre-proposals are due in the South Dakota NRCS State Office by 4 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on May 17, 2013.
The state CIG Announcement for Program Funding (APF) is available on the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov and on the SD NRCS Web site at http://
1.usa.gov/17ndIQl. The CIG pre-proposals will be evaluated by a NRCS technical team and successful applicants will be asked to submit a full project proposal.
This grant competition is an excellent opportunity to find innovative approaches to solve critical resource issues in South Dakota. Ultimately these new approaches can assist our farmers and ranchers with long-term financial and natural resource sustainability said Jeff Zimprich, South Dakota NRCS State Conservationist.
The CIG is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. The CIG projects facilitate NRCS’ work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the nation’s most pressing natural resource concerns. The CIG projects will benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Applications sent via express mail, overnight courier service, or United States Postal Service must be sent to the following address: USDA-NRCS, CIG Program, 200 Fourth Street SW, Room 203, Huron, SD 57350. Applications sent electronically must be sent through http://www.grants.gov or to denise.gauer@sd.usda.gov.
For more information about CIG, please contact the assistant state conservationist for operations, at (605) 352-1243.