The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for projects that will improve outreach to underserved producers and underserved communities about conservation programs and services and opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences.

Applications are due April 27.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering up to $70 million in cooperative agreements with entities for two-year projects that encourage participation in NRCS programs, especially in underserved communities and among urban and small-scale producers.   

The Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements will include projects that:  

-- Promote the benefits of NRCS programs through education or demonstration of conservation practices 

-- Develop community conservation partnerships that engage underserved producers to plan and protect farmland ecosystems, watersheds, and wildlife habitat in underserved communities 

-- Inform small-scale or urban agriculture producers about opportunities to participate in conservation programs   

-- Support education on, planning for and adoption of climate smart conservation practices 

Projects should reach underserved groups through a combination of program outreach and technical assistance in one or more of the following five NRCS priority areas:   

-- Addressing local natural resource issues   

-- Promoting conservation career opportunities   

-- Expanding adoption of climate-smart conservation  

-- Encouraging conservation in small-scale and urban agriculture  

-- Developing conservation leadership skills and opportunities

Webinars

Four webinars have been scheduled on this initiative starting March 7.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

Visit the NRCS-Pennsylvania webpage for more information on assistance available to Pennsylvania's agricultural community.

Related Articles:

-- DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress Update: Funding Opportunities, Actions, County Clean Water Plan Implementation  [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Seeking Applications To Expand Conservation Assistance To Underserved Agricultural Producers, Students To Pursue Careers In Agriculture [PaEN]

-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]

-- PennVEST Inviting Comments On Clean Water Procurement Program Guidelines  [PaEN]

-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts: Highlights Of County Conservation District Activities In 2022 

-- DEP Clean Water Academy Releases New Course On Evaluating Legacy Sediments & Stream Restoration Using Oil Creek, York County As Case Study  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Joe Hallinan New Manager, Erin Via Logistics Specialist For PA-Wide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership [PaEN]

-- Pike Conservation District: PennDOT, Winter Weather Management, Salt Watch By Izaak Walton League And You - By Rachael Marques, Pike County Watershed Specialist  [PaEN]

-- PA Sea Grant: Online Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration Opportunities For Educators (GLLee) Now Available  [PaEN]

-- PA American Water Seeking Entries For Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest  [PaEN]

-- Londonderry Twp/Local Conservation Partners Host 1-Mile Fun Run & Field Day For Clean Water In Elizabethtown, Lancaster County  [PaEN]

[Posted: February 28, 2023]

3/6/2023