USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is announcing a funding opportunity for agreements that address Iowa-specific conservation issues. The proposal deadline is Feb. 4.

Through the Iowa Partners for Conservation Award, successful projects will leverage NRCS resources, address local natural resource issues, encourage collaboration and develop state- and community-level conservation leadership.

NRCS seeks agreement proposals that address at least one of the following:

• build soil health on cropland

• improve environmental and economic performance of grasslands, woodlands and wildlife areas

• support the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

• build capacity to better manage and maintain watershed infrastructure

More IPC funding available
Iowa NRCS provided about $3 million to nine partners through 10 IPC projects in 2018. This year, an estimated $5 million will be available for IPC agreements. Funding amounts can range from $25,000 to $750,000 through one- to five-year agreements.

Emphasis will be placed on projects that:

• provide direct technical assistance to agricultural producers through NRCS field offices

• build technical capacity of NRCS employees and partner with field conservation employees, third-party vendors and nonaffiliated private company employees

• build the capacity of local watershed groups to develop and implement effective projects

• leverage nonfederal and nongovernment resources to achieve positive natural resources conservation outcomes

• provide county-level and one-on-one outreach to farmers and landowners on USDA conservation programs and services in certain counties

Interested individuals or groups should strongly consider applying for the program, says Judy Martinson, state resource conservationist for NRCS in Iowa. Send inquiries to [email protected].

Proposals must be electronically submitted to grants.gov. Refer to USDA-NRCS-IA-19-01 by 5 p.m. Feb. 4 or by email to [email protected] with a carbon copy to [email protected].

Source: NRCS