As part of a White House meeting on environmental conservation, the USDA announced the availability of $20 million through the Conservation Innovation Grants program. “The program aims to spark the development and adoption of cutting-edge conservation technologies and approaches for farmers, ranchers and other landowners,” said the USDA.
The White House said $2 billion in private sector and non-federal funding was announced at the meeting, including $250 million by Lyme Timber Co. to conserve working forests and $350 million by Resource Environmental Solutions for activities such as nutrient trading in 17 states.
The Conservation Innovation Grants program is part of the cost-sharing Environmental Quality Incentives Program at USDA. Projects may include on-farm pilot projects and field demonstrations. “In 2016, USDA is seeking applications for innovative conservation projects to benefit historically under-served agricultural producers, improve and protect water quality, and demonstrate the effectiveness of public-private partnerships for conservation, sustainable agriculture and forestry,” the agency said.