In an effort to combat climate change and increase conservation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $90 million investment in 53 projects across the country. The funds will support developing and implementing new approaches, practices and technologies for natural resource conservation on farms, ranches and other private lands.
“Over the last 20 years, USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grants have helped spur new tools and technologies to conserve natural resources, build resilience in producers’ operations and improve their bottom lines,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a press release. He added that thanks to the new federal investments, the USDA can more easily work with partners “to engage in conservation practices that are good for profitable farming, good for rural economies and good for the climate.”
The investment comes as the agricultural sector faces pressure to adapt to changing climate conditions while maintaining productivity. These projects seek to address environmental challenges while supporting the economic viability of American farms and ranches.
The funds, provided through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, will be distributed through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the USDA is funding 23 “Classic” CIG projects that are focused on research and developing methods and 30 CIG On-Farm Trials, which more commonly involve direct collaboration with farmers to implement new tools and practices. More than $20.2 million is allocated to CIG Classic projects, while over $69.7 million supports CIG On-Farm Trials. The geographical spread of these projects is vast, encompassing states from Hawaii to New York.
Among the CIG Classic projects, the First Nations Development Institute received the largest grant of $2 million. This project will engage Native American youth in bison restoration efforts across 19 states, from Alaska to Wisconsin. The initiative supports wildlife conservation, helps preserve cultural heritage and promotes sustainable land management practices.
The second-largest CIG Classic grant, $1.9 million, was awarded to South Dakota State University. Their project focuses on supporting bison producers with innovative practices such as bale grazing and health monitoring. This effort is designed to improve the sustainability of bison ranching while supporting grassland ecosystems.
In the On-Farm Trials category, the Minority Farmers of the South secured the largest grant of $5 million for a project in Mississippi. This initiative will use drone technology to collect data for precision irrigation and nutrient management, with the potential to improve water conservation and farming practices for historically underserved agricultural communities.
The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program received the second largest On-Farm Trials grant, totaling $4.9 million. This multi-state project will test precision forage measurement technology to enhance managed grazing practices across Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The project will attempt to improve grazing practices to be more symbiotic with natural systems.
Other noteworthy projects include the University of Hawaii’s $2.4 million grant to evaluate AI-enhanced irrigation scheduling tools, and the Carbon Chicken Project’s $591,240 initiative to demonstrate nutrient management practices in poultry farming across Arkansas and Oklahoma that help sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the soil. A full list of 53 projects is available through the USDA website.
Beyond the potential benefits of developing more climate-friendly agricultural practices, the grant program is also touted for providing an immediate economic boost to farming communities across the nation.
“This conservation funding flows directly into local communities and helps ensure farmers receive the financial assistance to buy equipment, hire labor, and take the necessary steps to implement these practices,” USDA officials wrote in a press release.
Photo courtesy of the USDA
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