Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

CIG is a voluntary program that uses Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds to award competitive resource conservation grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation. It does not fund research projects. Instead, it is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer.

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Component

For Fiscal Year 2008, NRCS in Pennsylvania will dedicate money to fund a State component of the CIG. Projects may be farm-based, multi-county, small watershed, or Statewide in scope. Eligible applicants may also apply for the National CIG component (see link below) but can only receive funds from one of the components.

The maximum amount per grant under the State CIG component will be $75,000. CIG will pay up to 50 percent of the cost of the proposed project and at least 50 percent of the total project cost must come from non-federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee.

The natural resource concerns for possible funding through the State component are: 

Nutrient Management

1.        Feed management to reduce amount of excreted nutrients.

2.        Nutrient management to reduce soil overloading of nutrients (NPK) and/or treat nutrient saturated soils.

Air Quality

1.        Objectionable odors (measures to minimize odors coming from manure/organics management)

2.      Reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds.

Erosion and Sediment

1.     Erosion control

2.     Reduction of stream sedimentation
 

Energy

1.     Renewable Energy opportunities

Chesapeake Bay CIG Component

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, will award grants on a competitive basis of between $75,000 and $1 million each to support the demonstration of innovative natural resource conservation and restoration practices on agricultural lands throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Chesapeake Bay CIG applications are due February 29, 2008.  Click here for more information.

 

Contact

Noel Soto
Phone: (717) 237-2173
Email: noel.soto@pa.usda.gov

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