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NEWSUnited States Department of Agriculture
NRCS Helps Fund Innovative Conservation Projects
Valued at $1.5 Million
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Innovative potato planter technology plants potatoes in beds rather than traditional rows, which reduces soil erosion and water use. |
BOISE, ID, June 27, 2007— State Conservationist Richard Sims of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced the selection of six projects in Idaho that will receive $725,000 in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). GIG will fund pilot projects and field demonstrations that target innovative on-the-ground conservation projects.
“CIG increases the opportunities for public-private
partnerships to demonstrate promising conservation technologies on
working agricultural lands,” said Sims. “These grants will expose
farmers and ranchers to new approaches that will help them address some
of their most pressing resource concerns.”
The total investment of the projects, including the recipients’ match of at least 50 percent, is valued at $1.5 million. Idaho’s CIG projects address issues such as agricultural air emissions, water quality improvement, pest management and more. Recipients of CIG grants are required to submit a summary of findings at the end of their grant term. Grant terms vary between one and three years. Projects include the following:
Demonstration of New Planter Technology for Improved Water Use Efficiency in Irrigated Potato Production: Western Ag Research in SE Idaho received a National CIG of $508,000 to demonstrate an innovative method of planting potatoes on flat-wide beds in contrast to conventional practices of row planting. Their early research showed significant findings in both water and nutrient conservation. This project will be demonstrated on 10,000 acres in southern Idaho to allow producers the opportunity to evaluate the new technology in their own farming operation. Total cost: $1.08 million
Management of Invasive Weed Species on Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Lands (southern Idaho): Tribal members will demonstrate innovative methods of noxious and invasive weed control on their Tribal grazing lands. In addition, this project will help educate students on new ways to identify and monitor weed populations. Total cost: $57,300
Adoption of Precision Integrated Pest Management Technology for Nematode Management in Potatoes (southern Idaho): This project will utilize GPS technologies to monitor site-specific nematode populations to reduce the overall amount of pesticides applied. Nematodes are worms that negatively affect the quality of potatoes. Pesticide applications will be distributed according to the amount of nematode populations found throughout the potato fields. This project has the potential to demonstrate both cost savings and a reduction in pesticide use, while maintaining yields and high quality crops. Total cost: $114,500
Improving Soil Health and Fertilizer Efficiency in a Sustainable Conservation Plan (northern Idaho): This project will demonstrate the positive impact on soil health using proper fertilizer applications and direct seed systems on cropland. Additional benefits include reduction in soil erosion and improvement in water quality. Total cost: $41,790
Maintaining Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Yields without Burning Using Biodiesel Co-products from Mustards (northern Idaho): This project will demonstrate on a 10-acre plot, the ability of mustard seed byproducts to stimulate seed production in Kentucky Bluegrass without burning. Project aims to minimize soil erosion and improve water quality by maintaining Bluegrass production. In addition, it provides an economically viable option to sustain yields. Total cost: $147,500
The Direct Seed Mentor Program (northern Idaho): Farmers currently using direct seed or no-till cultural practices will directly mentor other farmers who have not adopted these practices. Mentors will teach these farmers how to use the direct seed or no-till equipment and their participants will plant crops using these newly learned methods and techniques. Total cost: $85,400
NRCS administers CIG as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Selected proposals receive grants for up to 50 percent of the total project cost and must provide nonfederal matching funds for at least 50 percent of the project cost. The federal contribution may not exceed $75,000 for a single project in the Idaho CIG program or $1 million for the National CIG.
For information on CIG, contact Mark Weatherstone at 208-378-5720 or Bob Bartholomew at 208-378-5703. Additional information on CIG is available online at www.id.nrcs.usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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