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Conservation Innovation Grants

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns.

Five Ohio Conservation Innovation Grants Awarded in 2007

NEWS RELEASE - FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE CONSERVATION PROJECTS ANNOUNCED - July 6, 2007

Project Applicant: Environmental Defense
Proposal Title: Advancing Farmer-Friendly, Highly Effective Nutrient Use Efficiency Tools: Evaluation, Demonstration, and Farmer Education
Description: This project will expand knowledge and implementation of more efficient and effective nutrient management through three components: Farmer self-evaluation of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer needs; group and one-on-one education of farmers and technical advisors; and incentives to implement practices that increase nutrient use efficiency.

Applicant: Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District
Proposal Title: Geotextile Tube Liquid Manure Dewatering
Project Description: This project will demonstrate the advantages of using geotextile tubes to dewater liquid manure and provide an additional means to effectively utilize liquid manure nutrients in an environmentally effective manner.

Applicant: Chicago Climate Exchange (National Award)
Proposal Title: Carbon Credit Generation Program
Project Description: 14 state (NY, OH, IA, IL, IN, KS, MO, MI, NE, ND, NY, PA, VT, & WI) project to implement and intensify an innovative system for securing, verifying, and capitalizing on sequestered carbon by agricultural producers.

Applicant: The Malabar Farm Foundation
Proposal Title: Malabar Farm Small Feedlot Runoff and Manure Management
Project Description: This project will demonstrate innovative methods of handling manure wastes and feedlot runoff produced by small farms. A composting facility and wetland treatment of feedlot runoff will be featured. Malabar Farm is a State Park with thousands of visitors each year.

Applicant: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
Proposal Title: Demonstrating the Efficacy of a Phosphorus Sorbent to Reduce Agricultural Phosphorus Transport to Protect Surface and Ground Water Quality
Project Description: This project will demonstrate the use of a phosphorus sorbent as a novel and effective approach to reducing the risk or phosphorus transport. A swine facility in the Beaver Creek and Grand Lake St. Mary's Watershed will host this research.

Applicant: Thad Cooperrider
Proposal Title: Bio-Mass Alternative Energy Project
Project Description: This project will create an innovative energy management system utilizing local bio-mass available on every family farm.

Eligibility

Who is Eligible?

Projects must involve landowners who meet the EQIP eligibility criteria and address one or more of the national or state project components.

Universities
Federally recognized Indian Tribes
State of Local Units of Government
Non-governmental Organizations
Private Businesses
Individuals

Funding

Both National and State programs fund up to 50 percent of the project cost, not to exceed $1 million.
Fifty percent of the funding must be provided as matching funds.
Twenty-five percent of the matching funds may be derived from in-kind contributions.
Project funds will be obligated upon approval. Projects may be completed in one to three years.

2007 Grant Materials

These documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader

Fiscal Year 2007 Announcement of Program Funding (86 KB)
Fiscal Year 2007 Application Package Check List (22 KB)
SF 424A Supplemental Instructions (17 KB)
Example of a completed SF 424a (126 KB)
Project Summary Sheet (Template) (25 KB)

All OMB standard forms (SF) necessary for CIG submission are available on the following OMB website: http://www.grants.gov/agencies/aapproved_standard_forms.jsp

Information for Grantees

Reporting schedules and forms for FY 2004, 2005, and 2006 CIG grantees.

Rules, Notices and Additional Information

These documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Final Rule Published 1/11/05 (64 KB)
Interim Final Rule with Request for Comments Published 3/29/04 (133 KB)
Fact Sheet
Key Points
Program Description
Questions and Answers

What is the CIG Process?

National

CIG funding availability is announced through an announcement for program funding.
Applications are submitted to the State NRCS Office.
State Office forwards to Washington D.C. with review letter from State Conservationist.
Review panels are convened to score and rank proposals against evaluation criteria in the announcement.
A grant review board certifies the rankings and ensures consistency with program objectives.
NRCS Chief makes final award decisions.

State

A letter of acknowledgement of application receipt will be sent within 10 days via surface or email after due date.
Applications will be reviewed for completeness, incomplete applications may not be considered.
A panel of NRCS staff will review the applications.
A subcommittee of the State Technical Committee will evaluate and score proposals.
Ranked proposals will be presented to the State Technical Committee comment.
State Conservationist will make selections.
Notification for applicants selected and not selected will be sent via surface mail.