Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Grant for Innovative Conservation in New Mexico

A. Legislative Authority
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) was authorized as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) [16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8] under Section 2509 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246). The Secretary of Agriculture delegated the authority for the administration of EQIP and CIG to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who is Vice President of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). EQIP is funded and administered by NRCS under the authorities of the CCC.

B. Overview
The purpose of CIG is to stimulate on-the-ground adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG state projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies and management systems into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. CIG is to apply proven technology which has been shown to work previously. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

NRCS will accept applications for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed 3 years, submitted from eligible entities including federally recognized Indian tribes, State and local units of government, and non-governmental organizations and individuals.

Criteria for Application Evaluation identified in the application instructions in this package.

NRCS will utilize a team review process, with final project selections to be made by the state conservationist.

C. Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities
For the purposes of CIG, the proposed innovative project or activity must encompass the development, field testing, evaluation, implementation, and monitoring of:

a. Conservation adoption approaches or incentive systems, including market-based systems; or
b. Promising conservation technologies, practices, systems, procedures, or approaches; and
c. Environmental soundness with goals of environmental protection and natural resource enhancement.

To be given priority consideration, the innovative project or activity should:

a. Make use of a proven technology or a technology that has been studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success;
b. Demonstrate and verify environmental (soil, water, air, plants, energy use, and animal) effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of conservation technology in the field;
c. Adapt conservation technologies, practices, systems, procedures, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption;
d. Introduce conservation systems, approaches, and procedures from another geographic area or agricultural sector; and
e. Adapt conservation technology, management, or incentive systems to improve performance; and
f. Demonstrate transferability of knowledge.

D. New Mexico State Component
For FY 2011, applications must demonstrate benefits in one or more of the following categories:
1. Energy
2. Productivity and Environmental Health of Pastureland or Rangeland
3. Productivity and Environmental Health of Forestland
4. Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture
5. Soil Quality
6. Nutrient Management
7. Pest Management
8. Air Quality and Atmospheric Resource
9. Sustainable and Organic Agriculture
10. Pollinator Habitat