Funding Wizard

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) Summary Up to approximately $1 billion will be made available for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities projects through this funding opportunity, which will build markets and invest in America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers, and forest owners to strengthen U.S. rural and agricultural communities. Through the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, USDA will support the production and marketing of climate-smart commodities through a set of pilot projects that provide voluntary incentives through partners to producers and land owners, including early adopters, to: a. implement climate-smart production practices, activities, and systems on working lands, b. measure/quantify, monitor and verify the carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits associated with those practices, and c. develop markets and promote the resulting climate-smart commodities. Grant agreements under this funding opportunity will be with a single entity, i.e., “partner”; however, USDA encourages multiple partners to coordinate on projects. A range of public and private entities are eligible to apply, as described in Section C of the Full Announcement which can be found in the Related Documents tab of this opportunity. Proposals must provide a plan to pilot implementation of climate-smart agriculture and/or forestry practices on a large-scale, including meaningful involvement of small or historically underserved producers, consistent with spirit of the Justice40 initiative; a quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification plan; and a plan to develop markets and promote climate-smart commodities generated as a result of project activities. Funding will be provided through two funding pools. Proposals in the first funding pool (requests for amounts from $5 million to $100 million per proposal) will be large-scale pilot projects that emphasize the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production and include direct, meaningful benefits to a representative cross-section of production agriculture, including small and/or historically underserved producers. Proposals in the second funding pool (requests for amounts from $250,000 to $4,999,999 per proposal) are limited to particularly innovative pilot projects with an emphasis on · enrollment of small and/or underserved producers and/or · monitoring, reporting, and verification activities developed at minority-serving institutions. All projects must be tied to the development of markets and promotion of climate-smart commodities. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, a “climate-smart commodity” is an agricultural commodity that is produced using agricultural (farming, ranching, or forestry) practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon. Markets for climate-smart commodities may include companies or processors sourcing climate-smart commodities to meet internal targets or other supply chain goals, biofuel and renewable energy markets, companies seeking to sell branded consumer products, or other opportunities that could provide a premium or additional revenue for participating producers and land owners. Sufficient incentives to encourage producer participation, as well as, generation of verifiable greenhouse gas reductions and carbon sequestration are critical to project success and will be considered in the evaluation criteria. For new users of Grants.gov, see the Full Announcement located in the Related Documents tab of this opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on: · April 8, 2022 for the first funding pool (proposals from $5 million to $100 million) · May 27, 2022 for the second funding pool (proposals from $250,000 to $4,999,999). For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (found in section G of the Full Announcement located in the Related Documents tab of this opportunity.). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. Information on available webinars and other supporting information for this funding opportunity will be posted at: https://www.usda.gov/climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities The agency anticipates making selections by Summer 2022 and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change. Federal Financial Assistance Training The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance on administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. USDA ‘s Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

The U.S. Department Of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the state of California. A total of up to $750,000 is available for the CA CIG competition in FY 2020. All non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2020 is $125,000 APPLICATIONS DUE DATE: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on May 8, 2020. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into NRCS technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches or private forest lands. Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities CIG funds the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of: Approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption, including market-based and conservation finance approaches; and Conservation technologies, practices, and systems. Projects or activities under CIG must comply with all applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws and regulations throughout the duration of the project; and Use a technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success; Demonstrate, evaluate, and verify the effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation technologies and approaches in the field; Adapt and transfer conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption; Introduce proven conservation technologies and approaches to a geographic area or agricultural sector where that technology or approach is not currently in use. Technologies and approaches that are eligible for funding in a project’s geographic area using an EQIP contract for an established conservation practice standard are ineligible for CIG funding, except where the use of those technologies and approaches demonstrates clear innovation. Please see the Full Announcement in the Related Documents tab of this opportunity for NRCS California priorities for Federal Fiscal Year 2020 FOR MORE INFORMATION:. Please see the Full Announcement in the Related Documents tab of this opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to visit the CA State CIG website to learn more about the CIG program. Questions about this announcement can be directed to mail to: Erik.Beardsley@usda.gov or (530) 792-5649.

NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials) to stimulate the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. For 2020, applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one priority listed in this announcement. Up to $25 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2020. NRCS anticipates that up to $10 million of On-Farm Trials funding in 2020 will be awarded to entities applying for the Soil Health Demonstration Trial (SHD) component. On-Farm Trials projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration. The maximum amount for a single award in FY 2020 is $5 million. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2020. SUBMISSIONS: Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov. Submissions must be received by the time and date due. See section IV.D of this document for more on how to submit an application.

Please note the application deadline for this opportunity has been extended to May 29, 2020, 5pm Eastern Daylight Time. Summary Information Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department Of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 – OHIO Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-OH-CIG-20-GEN0010762 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.912, Environmental Quality Incentives Program NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the state of Ohio. A total of up to $300,000 is available for the Ohio CIG competition in FY 2020. All non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2020 is $150,000. APPLICATIONS DUE DATE: The application deadline has been extended to May 29, 2020, 5pm Eastern Daylight Time. SUBMISSIONS: Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov. In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to cheryl.rice@usda.gov. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into NRCS technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches or private forest lands. FOR MORE INFORMATION: A webinar for CIG applicants is scheduled for Wednesday April 8, 2020 at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Information on how to participate in the webinar will be posted to the Ohio State CIG website. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Ohio State CIG website to learn more about the CIG program. Questions about this announcement can be directed to : Cheryl.rice@usda.gov or 614-255-2565.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for the Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program for fiscal year (FY) 2020. The anticipated amount available for UAIP in FY 2020 is approximately $3,000,000. This announcement provides information regarding the eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and instructions needed to apply for a UAIP grant. Applications will be accepted from eligible entities in any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Key Dates Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 06, 2020 through Grants.gov. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding. A webinar will be held to provide an overview of the UAIP program purpose, project types, eligibility, and basic requirements for the submission of an application. Registration information is as follows: Event: Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production Competitive Grants Program Webinar When: Wednesday 3 June 2020, 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM Time Zone: (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada) (Please note that Daylight Saving Time (+01:00 hr) is in effect during this time) To register now, please visit the following link: https://usdanrcs.adobeconnect.com/egfiru3twn9f/event/registration.html To know more about the event, please visit: https://usdanrcs.adobeconnect.com/egfiru3twn9f/event/event_info.html Frequently Asked Questions are posted online at https://www.farmers.gov/manage/urban/opportunities/grants-faq Purpose and Priorities UAIP supports the development of urban agriculture and innovative production activities by funding Planning Projects (PP) and Implementation Projects (IP) led by nonprofit organizations, local or Tribal governments, and schools that serve any of the grades K-12 in areas of the United States. PPs and IPs should target a single or multiple urban areas, suburbs, or urban clusters in the United States where access to fresh foods is limited or unavailable and should include one or more partner organizations to achieve project goals within the target area(s). Planning Projects (PP) The purpose of PP is to support the development of projects that will either initiate, build upon, or expand the efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. No single PP award will exceed $200,000 in any single year or $500,000 over three years. PPs may be designed to: Develop recommendations for implementing community gardens and farms that respond to community needs as it relates to how food is grown, distributed, and marketed in target area(s); Facilitate urban agriculture assessments and identify opportunities that connect community needs with the benefits of urban agriculture such as food access, nutrition education, conservation, innovation, and economic development; Support the development of business plans, feasibility studies, and strategies to help offset start-up costs for new and beginning farmers in urban and suburban areas; Provide support for municipal planning that consider policies to meet the growing needs of and zoning for community gardens and farms, rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, green walls, indoor farms, greenhouses, high-tech vertical technology farms, and hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; or Assist schools that seek to increase knowledge of food and agricultural disciplines such as nutrition, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to develop and implement programs that create future leaders, farmers, gardeners, and entrepreneurs in agriculture and innovative production. Implementation Projects (IP) The purpose of IP is to accelerate existing and emerging models of urban, indoor, and other agricultural practices that serve multiple farmers or gardeners. IPs should improve access to local food in the target area(s). No single IP award will exceed $100,000 in any single year or $300,000 over three years. IPs may be designed to: Facilitate the development of entrepreneurial projects by offering needed resources, such as job training, land, equipment, mentoring, and other business development assistance to new and beginning farmers; Increase food production in small urban and indoor spaces with emerging technologies such as vertical farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, rooftop farms, etc.; Operate community gardens or nonprofit farms to educate a community on food systems, nutrition, environmental impacts, and agricultural production and/or to offer hands-on training in farming or gardening; Meet specific state, local, or community food and agricultural needs by assisting municipalities, food producers, community organizations, and schools with policies for community gardens and farms that address food access, soil health, emerging technologies, and agricultural business; Provide schools with resources to incorporate and emphasize the importance of growing and consuming nutritious food as well as training students for careers in agriculture.

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) was authorized as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, Title XII, Public Law 99-198 (7 U.S.C. 1281), as amended; Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624, as amended; Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993; Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998 and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2001 and as amended, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and Section II of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-234 authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance under this program to eligible producers.

It was repealed as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Title II of Public Law 113-79. However, funds have been authorized for the remaining restoration needs for this program.The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) was established under the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79 Section 1265C (b)(4) (16 U.S.C. 3865). This authorized NRCS to establish the agricultural conservation easement program for the conservation of eligible land and natural resources through easements or other interests in land and combines the purposes and coordinates the functions of the wetlands reserve program, the grassland reserve program, and the farmland protection program. Under Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), NRCS restores, protects, and enhances wetlands and associated uplands.The purpose of the NRCS easement programs (ACEP-WRE, WRP) is voluntary conservation by landowners.

The easement programs promote the restoration, enhancement, protection, maintenance and management of wetland systems and associated uplands that would contribute significantly to functions and values of these habitats. Through the easement programs, landowners may receive assistance to install or implement structural and/or vegetative and associated upland restoration practices on eligible land. The easement programs allow NRCS to request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements with, non-Federal entities to assist in providing specialized assistance necessary to implement restoration plans..Applicants will be responsible for assisting NRCS and landowners by providing technical assistance necessary to design and implement ACEP-WRE and WRP restoration plans, while at the same time improving and protecting habitats for environmental benefits. Performance may include any part or all operations necessary to design, construct, inspect, manage, and monitor various restoration, enhancement, and creation practices. Performance may also include other restoration-related conservation practices that meet NRCS standards and specifications. In addition to technical assistance applicants will also be responsible for coordination with landowners to provide NRCS with monitoring efforts of existing easements as outlined in ACEP manual, Section 528, subpart P.

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2021 – California Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-CA-CIG-NOFO0001052 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): This program is listed in the Assistance Listings under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 10.912, Environmental Quality Incentives Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the state of California. A total of up to $1,000,000 is available for the California CIG competition in FY 2021. All non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2021 is $150,000. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D.1. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on April 23, 2021. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. Questions regarding this notice of funding opportunity (NFO) may be submitted until March 12, 2021. Responses to questions posed will be posted on Grants.gov approximately two weeks before the application due date. A webinar for CIG applicants is scheduled for March 4, 2021. Information on how to participate in the webinar will be posted to: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/fina… Applicants are encouraged to visit the CA State CIG website to learn more about the CIG program. Questions about this announcement can be directed to Amber Till: Amber.Till@usda.gov, or (530) 792-5603 The agency anticipates making selections by May 21, 2021 and expects to execute awards by June 18, 2021.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is for NRCS-Illinois to partner with non-Federal entities to acquire surveying aides to carry out conservation technical assistance to private landowners and conservation districts, using technically skilled, professional surveying aides. Proposals submitted pursuant to this NFO must demonstrate the ability to increase conservation resources available rather than merely reallocating already existing resources.Proposals that do not include the addition of new resources will not be considered. The new employee must be able to travel 50% of their time and work in multiple counties per NRCS guidance. See Attachment 1 for NRCS Illinois organization by 34 District Groups (DG). NRCS- Illinois will be providing space, utilities, GPS survey equipment, computer, access to a vehicle, and network access.The survey aides hired by the non-Federal entity will perform the following duties:The qualified surveying aides will work in the local field offices with landowners to apply and maintain several conservation practices and reviews financial assistance requests under the federal and state agricultural programs.The survey aides will gather preliminary resource inventory data and information on the physical features of agriculture and other natural resource sites.The survey aides will provide technical support to the conservation planners in resource planning by utilizing applicable survey tools and planning software and assisting with data collection.The survey aides will compute and plot engineering notes, prepare field sketches and drawings, select standard designs, modifying or adjusting them to site conditions within the limits of the engineering practice review and approval limits.The survey aides will aid with implementation, checkout and certification of conservation practices, and assists in planning, designing, and layout.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 03, 2021. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. Questions regarding this notice of funding opportunity (NFO) may be submitted until May 01, 2021 Responses to questions posed will be posted on Grants.gov approximately two weeks before the application due date.The agency anticipates making selections by June 15, 2020 and expects to execute awards by September 01, 2021.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Illinois is requesting applications from eligible entities to provide the services necessary to improve monarch butterfly/pollinator habitat restoration practices on existing Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easements. The purpose of conservation easements is to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands on eligible lands. Applicants will provide services including but not limited to site assessment/planning, site preparation, seed procurement, seeding and establishment practices necessary to implement monarch butterfly habitat restoration plans consistent with NRCS standards and specifications.This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for agreement proposals. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant proposals will be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 05, 2021. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. Questions regarding this notice of funding opportunity (NFO) may be submitted until June 05, 2021 Responses to questions posed will be posted on Grants.gov approximately two weeks before the application due date.The agency anticipates making selections by June 30, 2021 and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2021.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the availability of funding for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to encourage collaboration with partners in providing farm bill program outreach to historically underserved groups. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of beginning farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers and ranchers, collectively referred to as “historically underserved producers.” Additional information is available here: Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers. The overall intent of this solicitation is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation outreach objectives and priorities outlined in this announcement. Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities for projects located in Tennessee. NRCS anticipates the total amount awarded under this announcement in Federal fiscal year 2021 will be approximately $100,000.00. Proposals are requested from eligible entities for competitive consideration of agreement awards for projects between one (1) to three (3) years in duration. Entity types that may be eligible under these criteria include the following: City or township governments County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education) Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education) Native American trial governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Private institutions of higher education Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments State governments For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D.1. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 7, 2021. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. Questions regarding this notice of funding opportunity (NFO) may be submitted until May 5, 2021. Responses to questions posed will be posted on Grants.gov approximately two weeks before the application due date. The agency anticipates making selections by June 30, 2021 and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2021.