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Funding Opportunities - Feb. 18, 2009
USDA extends comment time for pay limitations & eligibility
WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the comment period for the regulation defining actively engaged participation in a farming operation has been extended for an additional 60 days. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking a diverse range of comments from different areas of the United States and farming communities.

The regulation, published Dec. 29, 2008, invited comments on the interim rule for implementation of key eligibility requirements for many FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs.

The regulations were revised as mandated by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 to make changes in payment eligibility, payment attribution, maximum income limits and maximum dollar benefit amounts for participants in CCC-funded programs. In addition, certain provisions were incorporated that are discretionary.

The public may continue to submit comments until April 6. The extension document is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/federalNotices?ree=home&subject=lare&topic=frd-ii

USDA announces $20 million in conservation grants
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of program funding for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2009. The CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.

For 2009, up to $20 million is available for the national CIG competition. Funds for single or multiyear projects, not to exceed three years, will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process from all eligible nongovernmental organizations or individuals, including federally recognized tribes. CIG categories are:

•Natural Resource Concerns – Up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns

•Technology – Up to $6 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG technology categories

•Grant Leveraging – Up to $4 million to pilot the leveraging of CIG grants projects that provide further grants that align with the purposes of CIG

•Chesapeake Bay Watershed – Up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns in the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers. CIG is not a research program, but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and are likely candidates for eventual technology transfer.

At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come from non-federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee. While NRCS will provide technical oversight for each project receiving an award, the grantee is responsible for providing the technical assistance required to successfully complete the project.

Applications must be received in the NRCS National Headquarters by close of business March 2. Applications should be sent to: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Innovation Grants Program, Financial Assistance Programs Div., Room 5239-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW; Washington, DC 20250.
To view the complete Announcement of Program Funding, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig and visit www.grants.gov to apply electronically.

Partner proposals sought to target USDA farm bill funds
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The USDA has announced that up to $58.4 million in financial assistance is available to agricultural producers and entities through the new Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), established in the new farm bill to promote ground and surface water conservation and water quality improvement.

AWEP projects will be selected through a competitive request for proposals.  Eligible partners must identify a target geographic area in their proposal. They must also identify specific practices to be funded and agree to help promote these practices.

Eligible partners include federally recognized tribes, states, units of local government, agricultural or silvicultural associations or groups of such producers as irrigation associations or an agricultural land trust.

Once an area is selected, producers who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production are eligible to have conservation contracts under the program.  Producers in selected project areas will apply for assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) at their local USDA Service Center.

Practices that might be funded under AWEP could include:

•Water quality or conservation plan development, including resource condition assessment and modeling
•Water conservation restoration, including conversion to the production of less water-intensive agricultural commodities
•Water quality or quantity restoration or enhancement projects
•Irrigation system improvement or irrigation efficiency enhancement

Partners may submit proposals electronically at www.grants.gov/apply

Hard copy proposals must be postmarked by March 2. USDA published a Request for Proposals for AWEP in the Federal Register on Jan. 14. To access the regulations, visit the Federal Register at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr

For additional information about AWEP and links to the Federal Register announcement, visit www.nrcs.usda .gov/programs/awep
2/18/2009