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Deadline approaches for conservation project funding in Iowa

Iowa researchers, farmers, and conservation groups can apply for a grant dedicated to promoting more innovative conservation practices in agricultural production.

The Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) has a total of $500,00 available in funding, awarding a maximum of $75,000 for each successful applicant. The deadline to apply is May 27, 2019.

The purpose of the CIG is to stimulate the adoption and development of innovative conservation approaches and generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. The NRCS defines on-farm conservation research as an investigation conducted “to answer a specific applied conservation question” using valid research methods on a meaningful scale on farms, ranches or private forest lands. For 2019, CIG priorities include habitat, water quality and quantity, and soil health.

Previous grant recipients include the Practical Farmers of Iowa, Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, and Women, Food and Agriculture Network.

To assist with the application process, a workshop for CIG potential applicants will be held on April 26, 2019 at the Iowa NRCS State Office in Des Moines, IA. The workshop will be held from 10:00 to 3:00 pm central standard time with exercises to help attendees improve their ability to correctly complete the application package. The CIG Workshop will be available by webinar but is not guaranteed if “the technology is not available on the day of the workshop.” Therefore the NRCS encourages in-person attendance.

For those interested in attending, a RSVP Registration form must be filled out and returned by email to Judy.Martinson@ia.usda.gov with a carbon copy (cc) to Layla.Hagen@ia.nacdnet.net by April 17, 2019.

More information on the CIG grant, application and workshop is available online.