USDA NRCS Offers Grants for Soil Health Outreach and Sustainable Agriculture in Utah

UPDATE: Guidance for preparing the SF424, SF424A, and Budget Narrative (Appendices A-C), have been uploaded to the Related Documents tab. The Full Announcement has been updated to include Appendices A-C and also can be found at the Related Documents Tab.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The United States Department of Agriculture’s, Natural Resources Conservation Service (The USDA, NRCS), has a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Competitive Cooperative Agreements focused on soil health outreach activities in Utah. The overall objective of this solicitation is to encourage the implementation of innovative projects that promote sustainable agricultural practices and the protection of natural resources, especially soil health. This objective is to be accomplished through educational, outreach activities that showcase, demonstrate, and disseminate innovative soil health practices and information. The successful applicant(s) will be responsible for organizing all aspects of the outreach events, both live in-person, and virtual.

NRCS values the role of partnerships in expanding soil health knowledge and practices with agricultural stakeholders, including historically underserved communities and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Outreach events supported by this solicitation will maximize engagement with Utah farmers, producers, ranchers, NRCS staff, and partners through workshops, conventions, field days, and trainings. Applicants are encouraged to seek keynote speakers, technical speakers, and champion farmers from nationally and internationally reputable scientists, farmers, producers, and university professors. The proposed events should involve collaboration with these stakeholders.

The USDA, NRCS is inviting proposals from experienced, eligible, non-federal entities that specialize in conducting workshops, conventions, field days, and trainings for Utah farmers, producers, ranchers, NRCS staff, and partners. Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant applications may be eliminated from competition. Notification of proposal elimination due to an incomplete submission will be sent to the applicant. Proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to achieve measurable results, promote collaboration, and effectively use available resources. NRCS reserves the right not to fund any or all applications.

Agreements awarded pursuant to this solicitation may be 1-5 years in duration (January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2028). Proposed projects must be performed in Utah. Applicants may request up to $550,000 in funding.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. 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 July 8, 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 August 11, 2023 and expects to execute awards by September, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change. 

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The United States Department of Agriculture’s, Natural Resources Conservation Service (The USDA, NRCS), has a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Competitive Cooperative Agreements focused on soil health outreach activities in Utah. The overall objective of this solicitation is to encourage the implementation of innovative projects that promote sustainable agricultural practices and the protection of natural resources, especially soil health. This objective is to be accomplished through educational, outreach activities that showcase, demonstrate, and disseminate innovative soil health practices and information. The successful applicant(s) will be responsible for organizing all aspects of the outreach events, both live in-person, and virtual.

NRCS values the role of partnerships in expanding soil health knowledge and practices with agricultural stakeholders, including historically underserved communities and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Outreach events supported by this solicitation will maximize engagement with Utah farmers, producers, ranchers, NRCS staff, and partners through workshops, conventions, field days, and trainings. Applicants are encouraged to seek keynote speakers, technical speakers, and champion farmers from nationally and internationally reputable scientists, farmers, producers, and university professors. The proposed events should involve collaboration with these stakeholders.

The USDA, NRCS is inviting proposals from experienced, eligible, non-federal entities that specialize in conducting workshops, conventions, field days, and trainings for Utah farmers, producers, ranchers, NRCS staff, and partners. Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant applications may be eliminated from competition. Notification of proposal elimination due to an incomplete submission will be sent to the applicant. Proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to achieve measurable results, promote collaboration, and effectively use available resources. NRCS reserves the right not to fund any or all applications.

Agreements awarded pursuant to this solicitation may be 1-5 years in duration (January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2028). Proposed projects must be performed in Utah. Applicants may request up to $550,000 in funding.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. 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 July 8, 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 August 11, 2023 and expects to execute awards by September, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.