NEWS

BOISE, Idaho, February 15, 2008 – Assistant State Conservationist Bob Bartholomew announced today that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho has $250,000 available in 2008 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).  CIG offers financial incentives to strengthen the development or adoption of innovative technologies that address critical natural resource concerns on a local, regional or national scale.

“Our innovation grants offer applicants the opportunity to establish cutting edge solutions to address conservation and resource management priorities in Idaho,” said Bartholomew.  “Priority will go to proposals that address the development of Integrated Pest Management technologies and strategies, and Global Positioning System techniques for precision agriculture.”

CIG funds will target innovative on-the-ground conservation activities, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.  CIG does not fund research projects.   All CIG proposals must be applied in Idaho and show potential benefits to Idaho’s agricultural community.  

Applicants may be State or local government agencies, Tribes, non-governmental organizations or individuals.  NRCS must receive all proposals from applicants on or before March 28, 2008.  Proposals should describe the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address water, soil or atmospheric resources. Applicants should identify how large of a geographic area the project would benefit.  

Each grant awarded may not exceed $75,000 and requires a 50 percent non-federal match for the total project cost.  Half of the match may be in-kind services while the remaining must be in cash.  Grantees may use the grant funds to encourage agricultural producers to incorporate new technologies by providing incentive payments or cost share.

To view the Announcement of Program Funding or for general information, visit http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig.  Application information and instructions are also available online.  NRCS is requesting that applicants submit a hard copy of the proposal along with a CD-ROM.

For more information on the Conservation Innovation Grants, contact Bob Bartholomew, 208-378-5703 or Mark Weatherstone, 208-378-5720.

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