Grants for County governments - Agriculture

SUMMARY INFORMATIONFederal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Maryland Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Conservation Technical Assistance for Fiscal Year 2024 MarylandNotice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-MD-CONTR-24-NOFO0001339Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings (previously referred to as theCatalog of Federal Financial Assistance) on Sam.gov under:Soil and Water Conservation 10.902Conservation Reserve Program 10.069Agricultural Conservation Easement Program 10.931Environmental Quality Incentives Program 10.912Regional Conservation Partnership Program 10.932which can be found at: https://sam.gov/content/home.SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the federal government trading partners in support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes.Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture, is announcing potential availability of agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to promote public awareness of Farm Bill activities throughout Maryland.Proposals must be for projects based in Maryland and focus on Farm Bill conservation. Research proposals will need to meet the requirements in order to be accepted.Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities identified in Section C of this announcement for competitive consideration of awards for projects between one and five years in duration.This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant proposals will be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant. The Maryland State Conservationist reserves the right not to fund any or all applications.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity forinformation about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 5th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by July 15th, 2024, and expects to execute awards by August 1st, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

This funding opportunity supports California-based organizations in developing and demonstrating innovative farming practices that reduce chemical pesticide use while promoting sustainable pest management.

This grant provides financial support to established livestock farmers in select New England counties to implement regenerative agriculture practices that enhance soil health, water quality, and pollinator habitats.

This grant provides funding to agricultural professionals and organizations in the Western U.S. to implement educational and demonstration projects that promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices based on previous research findings.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in North Carolina that create innovative programs to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems and promote economic growth.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

This program provides financial assistance to private woodland owners in Ohio for managing invasive hemlock woolly adelgid infestations to protect and enhance the health of eastern hemlock forests.

SUMMARY INFORMATION Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture NRCS Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Kentucky NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easement (ACEP WRE) Acquisition Services Agreement Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-KY-ACEP- 24-NOFO0001367 Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings (previously referred to as the Catalog of Federal Financial Assistance) on Sam.gov under 10.931 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, which can be found at: https://sam.gove/content/home. SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the federal government's trading partners in support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes. Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking proposals to assist with due diligence for acquiring Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE), including contracting for title exams, updates, and closing services; boundary surveys; appraisals and cultural resource investigations. ACEP WRE provides funding for the purchase of conservation easements held by NRCS, and to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands on eligible land. Proposals are requested for consideration of cooperative agreements with a period of performance not to exceed five years. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on TBD. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local non-profits and school groups for projects that promote environmental sustainability, such as water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and educational initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist California's farmworkers and their families in gaining essential skills, advancing their careers, and accessing vital services to improve their economic stability and resilience.

Fiscal Year 2024 Key Objectives Application proposals must include at least one of the following three objectives identified below. Proposals may contain more than one objective. As noted in Section 4, applicants must map their proposed activities and indicators measuring success to the objective(s) using the Activities/Indicators Tracker. If awarded, grantees will be required to use the FNS-908 Performance Progress Report to report on progress towards activities that align with the required objective(s) listed on the Activities/Indicators Tracker. Carefully considering proposed activities and indicators will prepare grantees for their performance progress reporting requirements if awarded. The project examples aligned with each objective listed below are only suggestions. A PTIG project may assist State agencies in making investments in systems to improve efficiency, provide excellent customer service, and meet Federal standards as they face unprecedented operational challenges. FNS welcomes other projects that support these objectives and encourages applicants to propose innovative ideas to solve both common and unique problems associated with SNAP application and eligibility processes. 1. Modernize SNAP customer service and client communication to improve accessibility, transparency, and responsiveness in processing applications and determining eligibility. 2. Improve administrative infrastructure and day-to-day SNAP operations in processing applications and determining eligibility. 3. Invest in technology and systems to encourage cross collaboration and cross enrollment between SNAP and other Federal, State, and local assistance programs. Please read the full announcement for additional details.

This grant provides funding to U.S. agricultural entities to develop and expand markets for American agricultural exports in emerging markets, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Grant Opportunity: Saginaw Bay Watershed Pollution Prevention/Chemical Collection Program Description: This grant opportunity is for the construction of a permanent facility to collect pesticides from farmers, homeowners, nurseries, etc. The facility will allow any end user of pesticides to dispose of unwanted materials at no cost. The project was completed in 1999 and is a joint project of the Saginaw County Department of Health and the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Grant Opportunity: Demonstrate Effectiveness of Biodegradable Two-Cycle Engine Oil Description: This grant opportunity is for field testing a soy-based oil that can be used as an alternative to petroleum-based oil in engines such as jet skis, outboard motors, and snowmobiles. The soy-based oil is environmentally preferable as it is 96% biodegradable and does not emit pollutants into the air and water. The funding will be used to demonstrate the safety and performance of the oil and document reductions in emissions into the environment. Grant Opportunity: Saginaw Bay Watershed Native Planting Preserve at Saginaw Valley State University Description: This grant opportunity aims to fund the development of a native planting preserve on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University. The preserve will include plants, signage, and walking trails. The project intends to encourage the use of native plantings in the general public and serve as a demonstration/research site at the university. Grant Opportunity: Alternative Energy from Agriculturally-Derived Pellet Fuel Description: This grant opportunity involves analyzing the technical and economic viability of manufacturing renewable pellet fuel derived from agricultural sources. The research includes studying the economic and environmental impact of using biomass combustion furnaces for heating residential and light industrial buildings. The project also includes developing a web-based interface for real-time telemetry information. Grant Opportunity: Conservation Tillage Risk Protection Program Description: This grant opportunity aims to demonstrate the use of conservation tillage in two subwatersheds of the Tittabawassee River. The

This funding opportunity supports not-for-profit organizations and local governments in New York to create community gardens that provide fresh food and nutrition education to low-income populations eligible for SNAP benefits.

This grant provides funding to educators and nonprofit preschool organizations in Iowa to create innovative projects that integrate agriculture into classroom instruction or afterschool programs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations to create innovative programs that celebrate American culture and strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through outreach activities across Japan.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for a cooperative agreement to support, manage and facilitate Public-Private Partnerships and Collaborative activities as part of the Critical Path Initiative and to support regulatory science efforts. FDA and grantees will work together to develop innovative, collaborative projects in research, education, and outreach. These projects can help foster drug product innovation to 1) support efforts to accelerate drug product development; 2) support approaches to advanced manufacturing; 3) facilitate translation of basic science discoveries into therapeutics; and 4) facilitate approaches to enhance the safety, efficacy, quality, and performance of drug products. Projects are identified by FDA. Multiple awards may be funded under this NOFO and are directly dependent on drug development priorities and subject to the availability of funding.

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-24-NOFO0001354 Assistance Listing: 10.932, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Due Date: NRCS must receive proposals by 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024. Note: The RCPP Classic and Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) FY 2024 notices of funding opportunity (NFO) will run concurrently. For information on AFA proposals please see Funding Opportunity Number USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPPAFA-24-NOFO0001355. The RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Through the RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that provide solutions to conservation challenges thereby measurably improving the resource concerns they seek to address. RCPP promotes collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and various communities, which is paramount to achieving equity in NRCS programs and services. Using guidance contained in this notice, partners propose projects that generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource concerns in a state or multistate area by addressing one or more priority resource concerns within an NRCS-designated critical conservation area (CCA). NRCS and partners collaborate to design, promote, and implement RCPP projects on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. Through RCPP, NRCS may provide both financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) funds to project partners and agricultural producers for implementing projects. RCPP proposals are evaluated through a competitive proposal process based on three criteria: impact, partner contributions, and partnership and management. Up to $1.5 billion is available for RCPP projects through this announcement and the FY 2024 AFA announcement, which includes $300 million of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) funding and $1.2 billion of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. Proposals are accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS will prioritize using IRA funds for projects that will implement climate-smart agriculture and forestry conservation activities as described in section F.(3)a. of this announcement. Up to $100 million is being made available specifically for NRCS to enter into programmatic partnership agreements with Indian tribes. This set aside will be shared by this announcement and the FY 2024 AFA announcement. Any unused funds may be available for other partnership agreements. Submissions: Proposals must be submitted through the RCPP portal. See section E of this announcement for information on using the RCPP portal to submit proposals. Access to the RCPP portal requires a level 2 eAuthentication credential or a Login.gov credential. Obtaining a new Login.gov credential involves multiple steps and can take several days to complete. Instructions are posted on the How to Apply to RCPP web page listed below. For More Information: Applicants are expected to contact the appropriate State Conservationists and state RCPP coordinators prior to submitting a proposal. NRCS will use a state conservation questionnaire to record the results of this conversation. Proposals without a completed questionnaire may have their score and ranking reduced. A list of state RCPP coordinators (as of the date of this announcements posting) is on the NRCS How to Apply to RCPP web page. Applicants can also email the RCPP inbox (rcpp@usda.gov) with any questions about the announcement. The RCPP website is also a great source of current information about the program. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in one or more of the webinars below to learn about the program and how to apply. 2024 RCPP NFO Applicant Outreach Webinar This webinar will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The same material will be covered at both webinars followed by a question-and-answer section. Please refer to the RCPP website for more information. Regional Conservation Partnership Program Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov) April 23, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e2f45f75-7ea4-410b-b1c9-567537cd2454@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 May 30, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/226dcb51-0b57-43b1-b340-95e535238713@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 NRCS will schedule additional webinars on RCPP easements and providing outreach to tribal applicants. Information on all webinars will be posted to the RCPP how to apply page.

This program provides funding to agricultural and rural electric cooperatives in Minnesota to develop facilities that produce eco-friendly nitrogen fertilizers using renewable energy and green hydrogen.

The Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA) is seeking applications for its Building Socially Connected Communities Program, a grant initiative designed to address concerning public health statistics in Indiana through a community and economic development lens. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance community resilience and foster economic growth across the state. By investing in initiatives that build social connections, strengthen community bonds, and enhance the overall quality of life for Hoosiers, OCRA aims to strategically counter social isolation and loneliness, which diminish social capital and impact individual and community well-being. The program targets all counties in Indiana and aims to benefit individuals experiencing social isolation and loneliness, local businesses affected by decreased community engagement, and communities striving for greater economic vibrancy and social cohesion. The impact goals are to improve individual health outcomes, enhance community well-being and social capital, foster community engagement, support local businesses, and contribute to the overall economic health of Indiana’s communities. The program's priorities and focus areas include Community Infrastructure Enhancement (e.g., community centers, meeting spaces), Social Clubs & Interest Groups tailored to older adults, Community Well-Being Programs (e.g., mental health awareness, loneliness stigma reduction, accessible resources), Local Business Support (e.g., creating inviting spaces for social interactions), Transportation Accessibility in rural areas, and Intergenerational Initiatives. These focus areas reflect the foundation's strategic priority to create strong, connected communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased social connections, stronger community bonds, enhanced quality of life, greater community engagement, improved economic vibrancy through local business support, and increased access to community events and essential services. The foundation's theory of change posits that by strategically investing in these areas, communities will experience a positive shift in social fabric, economic health, and overall well-being, contributing to Indiana’s statewide development goals. Funding information includes a total of $200,000 available. Applicants can apply for either Quick Action projects (maximum $5,000, minimum $1,000, 1:1 match with 30% in-kind) or Large Impact projects (maximum $50,000, minimum $5,001, 1:1 cash match). Eligible applicants are local government, non-profit organizations, and community groups. Ineligible activities range from plants and Wi-Fi to one-time use products, permanent public restrooms, taxes, food/drink, gaming, illegal/political/unsanctioned activities, demolition, salaries, administration fees, and pre-award expenses.