SALINA, Kan. — Karen A. Woodrich, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), announced up to $7 million available to eligible entities for priority conservation efforts through Conservation Collaboration Grants or Agreements (CCGA). Through CCGA, NRCS seeks to leverage resources, address local natural resource issues, encourage collaboration, and develop local leadership efforts.
“Voluntary conservation implementation and education through partnerships is more important than ever,” said Woodrich. “CCGA allows us to explore new avenues to increase conservation outcomes, improve the efficiency of conservation efforts, and improve assistance to agricultural producers including historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.”
Applications from eligible entities for CCGA are being accepted on a wide range of concerns and resource areas. Consideration for funding will place an emphasis on proposals which:
- Increase soil health implementation and integration into feedstock supply chains.
- Improve and increase natural resource conservation in urban areas and along the rural/urban interface.
- Increasing efficiency in conservation planning and follow-up through technology adoption including precision agriculture and unmanned aerial systems.
- Increase implementation of conservation for non-traditional resource concerns such as energy efficiency and air quality.
- Support areawide conservation planning frameworks and improved efficiency of conservation efforts.
State, Tribal, and local governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and other entities including for-profit entities may submit proposals. Proposals offered through this opportunity may be between $100,000 and $2.5 million. Projects may be single or multi-year, not to exceed three (3) years.
Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., EST Monday, March 8, 2021 to be considered for this round of funding. Project proposals will be evaluated based on criteria defined in the announcement. Entities with a project selected for funding will be notified by Friday, April 30, 2021.
Additional information, the request for proposals, and related forms are located at Grants.gov . Questions may be directed to Matthew N. Meyerhoff, Acting Assistant State Conservationist for Partnerships at 785-823-4550 or email matt.meyerhoff@usda.gov.
— USDA, Kansas Natural Resources Conservation Service
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