The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on April 6 that it would invest $40 million in 31 new projects through its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.
The department also allocated an additional $19 million for two projects focused on nutrient management funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
The investments are aimed at adopting and implementing climate-smart practices, including nutrient management, which help producers maximize their economic benefit while minimizing their environmental impact.
“Addressing climate change is a tremendous challenge, but agriculture plays an important role and we’re grateful for our many partners who are helping us confront the challenge head-on.
“These new projects and agreements are working to mitigate climate change, conserve and protect our water, enhance soil health, and create economic opportunities for producers,” Vilsack said.
“We’re empowering our partners to develop new tools, technologies, and strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop cost-effective solutions to resource challenges.”
According to the department, the investments reflect the goals of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda to rebuild the economy from the bottom-up and middle-out and unleash an innovation boom that is Made in America.
Of the 31 new projects, two of the 14 partners with funded CIG On-Farm Trials projects are based in Iowa.
This year, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing $25 million through On-Farm Trials, which supports more widespread adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers.
Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches.
NRCS is investing $15 million in 17 CIG Classic projects to help partners create innovative tools, technologies, and tactics to assist next-generation conservation initiatives on working lands and market-based resource issues.
The lead partner must collaborate with farmers to create new conservation structures and methods not available under RCPP Classic.
Two regional conservation funds from NRCS helped growers improve fertilizer management in crucial conservation zones.
Family Farms will use biochar to increase fertilizer efficiency and improve soil health in the Mississippi River Basin.
The Environmental Initiative will employ “nutrientsheds”—interconnected networks of nearby farms to transport and balance nutrient needs—to reduce watershed-damaging nutrient runoff.
NRCS has also inked two memorandums of understanding to boost nutrient management practices.
ASA’s International Certified Crop Adviser Program allows it to suggest candidates for the conservation service’s Technical Service Provider program.
Truterra, a Land O'Lakes subsidiary, wants to boost nutrient management adoption and producer, and landowner technical skills.
For the fiscal year 2022, NRCS set aside specific funds for CIG proposals that help only under-served producers.
This includes producers who are socially disadvantaged, veterans of the military, new farmers, and producers with limited resources.
