PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Agriculture is encouraging South Dakota communities to apply for a 2017 Urban and Community Forestry Comprehensive Challenge Grant.
Applications and accompanying documentation must be submitted to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry by Nov. 20, 2017.
The Challenge Grant can be used to help communities solve specific community forestry problems or demonstrate the importance of trees and urban forests in South Dakota communities. Projects must be for trees or tree management on public land or in public right of ways and have a maximum request of $5,000. Funds for professional services are limited to $5,000, tree inventories and assessments are limited to $5,000, existing tree care and maintenance are limited to $1,000, training and education are limited to $5,000, and new tree planting is limited to $1,000 per project.
Applicants are limited to one tree planting project per fiscal year. Communities must contribute an equal match for all funds awarded, which can be met through cash or in-kind contributions.
Projects must follow the guidelines for Community Forestry Challenge Grants. These guidelines, as well as the Challenge Grant application, can be found at http://sdda.sd.gov, under the Happening Now tab.
A complete submission consists of: the application, a budget sheet, a supplemental questionnaire, a work plan and two tree quotes, if tree planting funds are requested. If you have questions, please contact Rachel Ormseth at 605.280.4854.
Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect and preserve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online athttp://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
— The South Dakota Department of Agriculture
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