Resource Details

Agriculture, Sustainability, Technology

CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Grants

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are competitive grants that drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation. CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving—boosting production on farms, ranches, and private forests through improvements in water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat.

National competition for projects that support more widespread adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. On-Farm Trials Awardees provide technical assistance and incentive payments to producers to help compensate for risks associated with implementation of new conservation practices, systems and approaches. Awardees also evaluate the environmental, financial and social (to the extent possible) impacts of implementing innovative approaches. The Soil Health Demo Trial is a priority within the On-Farm Trials competition which focuses exclusively on implementation of conservation practices and systems that improve soil health.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants may come from state or local governments, federally-recognized American Indian tribes, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, Pacific Islands Area).

Eligible projects are innovative and promote on-the-ground conservation. They include pilot projects and field demonstrations. Proposed projects must conform to the description of innovative conservation projects or activities published in the annual funding notice. An applicant’s CIG funding request must be matched at least 1:1 with non-federal funding.

Top Benefits

  • The maximum CIG award tends to be either $1 million or $2 million
  • Matching funds can be any combination of cash and in-kind contributions
  • NRCS will provide technical oversight for each project receiving an award

Related Resources

  • Energy, Sustainability

    Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

    Focus on Energy

    Focus on Energy is Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state’s investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities.

  • Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Child Care, Economic Development, Eldercare, Energy, Food & Beverage, Forestry & Paper, Native Peoples, Transportation, Workforce

    Wisconsin Cooperative Development Grant

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is offering grants to support the development of new and existing cooperatives in Wisconsin, with a goal of fostering the success of current and future cooperatives by supporting planning and exploratory research in advance of making a large investment.

  • Economic Development, Sustainability

    WI DNR Environmental Protection Informational Webpage

    Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

    A list of topics related to environmental protection.