The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas last week announced grant opportunities for partners to receive funding through its Texas Partners for Conservation Program. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov by May 6, 2022.

“Conservation of our natural resources can be achieved through effective collaboration with our network of partners to leverage NRCS resources and develop state and community level conservation leadership,” said Kristy Oates, NRCS state conservationist for Texas. “This partner-led approach will accelerate the development of conservation plans to address environmental quality issues on agricultural lands within Texas and improve outreach and assistance to historically underserved producers.”

Priority will be placed on project topics addressing:

Outreach & Education to Historically Underserved Producers/Clients

–Increase outreach to historically underserved agriculture producers

–Expand Conservation Technical Assistance to increase conservation planning and promote USDA NRCS Farm Bill programs

–Increase field office capacity to effectively assist historically underserved agriculture producers

Farm Bill Operations

–Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry – support delivery of conservation practices that provide quantifiable carbon sequestration and/or greenhouse gas reductions

–Urban and Small Farm Agriculture – conservation technical assistance and education

–Expand Conservation Technical Assistance to private landowners

–Expand landscape planning and application to include Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. The funding floor is $30,000, and the ceiling is $150,000. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.

All funding applications must be submitted via grants.gov by May 6, 2022. For assistance with the registration process, contact grants.gov applicant support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Successful applicants are required to have an administrative and technical contact participate in the Texas NRCS training for Administration of Federal Agreements. This training is usually held within six months of the award start date.

For more info about NRCS and its conservation programs, visit www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.