NRCS Missouri Announces Conservation Innovation Grants State Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

March 20, 2023

Columbia, MO – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) has been posted to www.grants.gov.

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 government 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.

A total of up to $500,000 is available for the Missouri CIG competition in fiscal year (FY) 2023. For FY 2023, NRCS accepts proposals that address one or more of the state priorities listed below:

• Urban Agricultural Production and Community Food Sources

• Use of Drone Technology in Farming Systems

• Drainage Water Management Systems

At least 10% of the total funds available for CIG in FY 2023 is set aside for proposals from Historically Underserved producers, veteran farmers or ranchers, or community-based organizations comprised of or representing these entities. Proposed projects must be performed in Missouri and may be between 1 and 3 years in duration.

Applicants must submit their applications via www.grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 7, 2023. The agency anticipates making selections by June 21, 2023, and it expects to execute awards by October 1, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change. To learn more about or apply, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=Missouri.