Conservation Innovation Grants for 2007

The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG enables the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns. CIG will benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. NRCS administers this program.

2007 Conservation Innovation Grants Recipients

Syracuse, New York., August 21, 2007

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Ron Alvarado today announced that five projects have been awarded State Level Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) dollars. These projects total $241,000 and are designed to develop and refine cutting-edge technologies and approaches to help producers maintain viable agricultural operations in New York. 

This fiscal year’s grantees include the following projects: 

• Finger Lakes RC&D Council
  Project Title: Solar Powered Livestock Watering Systems
   
• Lower Hudson-Long Island RC&D Council
  Project Title: Hudson Valley Grass Energy Pelleting Program
   
• Cornell University, Geneva Experiment Station
  Project Title: Technology to Reduce Pesticide Drift and Residues in Vineyards
   
• Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Science
  Project Title: Protocol for Integrated Assessment of Soil Quality
   
• Onondaga Soil and Water Conservation District
  Project Title: Innovative Cover Crop Management

"These projects exemplify cooperative conservation and continue USDA’s partnership with public and private entities to promote practical, innovative solutions to manage our natural resources," Alvarado said.   

As part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, USDA’s NRCS administers both national and state level CIGs, which provide competitive grants to state and local Governments, tribes, non-governmental organizations and individuals. Additional information is available at the USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants Web site.

Each year, there are opportunities to apply for CIG grants at the National and State level.

• NRCS nationally-administered CIG grant program

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New York NRCS-administered CIG grant program (DOC; 49 KB)

Each grant program may be applied to separately. Conservation Innovation Grants applications submitted to the national program are evaluated and awarded separately from the New York CIG grant program and vice versa. A qualified agency, organization or individual may apply simultaneously to each program; however, only one grant will be awarded for the same application.

2007 Conservation Innovation Grants Materials

Information for Grantees

• Reporting schedules and forms for Fiscal Year 2004, 2005, and 2006 CIG grantees.

Rules, Notices and Additional Information

Questions related to New York's Conservation Innovation Grants program should be directed to:

Assistant State Conservationist for Programs

Donald Pettit
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6503

Resource Conservationist, EQIP Program Manager

Dianna Power
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6508

If you have questions, suggestions, or find a broken link, please contact:

Web Content Author

Dianna Power
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6508

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