NRCS Montana accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants

From Natural Resource Conservation Service

BOZEMAN — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for grants until July 1 to fund Montana projects that could stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Conservation Innovation Grants generally fund pilot projects, field demonstrations and on-farm conservation research.

Tom Watson, NRCS state conservationist for Montana, said $225,000 is available for the state-component CIG this year. He said applicants can request up to $75,000 for projects lasting one to three years.

Watson said projects should address one or more of the three resource concerns identified for this program: soil health, water quality and quantity, and range health. All projects need to result in technology or methods that can be used to augment agency technical guidance; be designed with an understanding of NRCS practice standards, pertinent assessment tools, and planning criteria. Information about CIG and the application process is available online at https://www.grants.gov/.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the grants.gov website by 5 p.m. Mountain Time July 1. In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to [email protected].

For more information, contact Jerry Shows at [email protected] or 406-587-6967.