Deadline For Conservation Innovation Grant Proposals May 18, 2012

DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California announced May 18, 2012, as the deadline to submit project proposals for fiscal year 2012 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).  Up to $375,000 is available for the California statewide CIG competition. 

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.  CIG enables NRCS to 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.

NRCS California is requesting CIG project proposals that 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.

Grants to eligible entities and individuals may not exceed a maximum of $75,000.  Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process. Applications are requested from eligible government or nongovernment organizations, eligible private business or individuals for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between one to a maximum of three years in duration. 

The CIG announcement, with detailed proposal requirements, can be found at www.grants.gov or by contacting Erik Beardsley, CIG program specialist, at [e-mail]. Completed proposals must be simultaneously posted onto www.grants.gov and sent to Erik Beardsley, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 430 G Street, #4164, Davis, CA 95616-4164.  For questions, please contact Erik Beardsley by email or call [phone], or Alan Forkey, program manager, at [e-mail] or call [phone]. 

NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935. For more information on NRCS, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.