USDA NRCS Grant for Organic Farming Conservation Specialists

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

NRCS is soliciting applications for six regional organic specialists and one organic research specialist. NRCS is looking to expand their existing organic expertise thru relationships within the organic community. Through this collaboration the agency wants to increase conservation assistance to organic producers and those transitioning to organic production in the United States and the Pacific Islands and Caribbean areas through improved partnerships with organizations. The regional organic specialist position locations will be negotiable, but specialists will work in designated regions through NRCS’s Regional Technical Support Centers in Greensboro, North Carolina, Fort Worth, Texas, and Portland, Oregon. The regions can be viewed at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/leadership. The East National Technology Support Center in Greensboro, NC services NRCS’s Northeast and Southeast Regions. The Central National Technology Support Center in Fort Worth, TX services NRCS’s Central Region. The West National Technology Support Center in Portland, OR services NRCS’s West Region. The organic research specialist will be a remote position. The organic coordinators will be collaborating with the NRCS designated National organic specialist in Washington, DC.

All positions will collaborate with partners to:

·      Increase knowledge of USDA conservation initiatives on developing organic agriculture production systems.

·      Develop technical information for agency staff.

·      Increase knowledge of the NRCS conservation planning process and how it correlates to the organic system plan.

·      Enable more strategically focused and effective outreach efforts to increase conservation assistance to organic producers.

The organic research specialist will review, develop, and disseminate research and technical guidance for organic agriculture.

Partner organizations and individuals must have expertise, knowledge, and experience related to educating farmers and the public about sustainable growing practices that promote soil health, conserve natural resources, and prevent environmental degradation while producing a clean, healthful, and secure food supply.

Through this agreement, NRCS and partner organizations will develop new technical information and transfer that information to conservationists, organic certifiers, and producers. All work will be in alignment with NRCS priorities and will promote technical and financial assistance to the organic farming community.

All deliverables will be maintained, stored, distributed, and branded by NRCS unless otherwise negotiated.

New users of Grants.gov should refer to section D for information about requirements for applying through Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 11, 2023. 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 10, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.