Dear Colleagues,

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is accepting proposals for the 2020 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

CIG is a voluntary program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. Proposed projects should augment existing NRCS technical tools (planning, assessment/delivery) to better facilitate conservation on farms and ranches.  CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches to agricultural producers, into NRCS technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector.  CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research.

In 2020, NRCS California is prioritizing proposals that improve the “technical toolbox” to address the following on-farm resource concerns:

• improve plant and forest health/productivity;
• improve air quality associated with agricultural operations;
• work with agriculture operations to protect surface and groundwater quality;
• work with agriculture operations to protect surface and groundwater quantity;
• improve soil health; and enhance habitat for terrestrial and aquatic species.

Up to $750,000 is available for one- to three-year grants. The maximum award amount for any project will not exceed $125,000 in fiscal year 2020.

Proposals are due by Friday, May 8, 2020.  Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov, and a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to Erik.Beardsley@usda.gov. Both submissions must be received by the submission deadline.

Please review the full opportunity announcement at the following link: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ca/programs/financial/cig/.

For questions about the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, please contact Erik Beardsley, State CIG Program Manager at Erik.Beardsley@usda.gov.

Thank you.

Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)