12-14 FB Neat Conservation

Several agricultural projects received funding through the Conservation Innovation Grant program from the Natural Resources Conservation Service which helps accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising agricultural methods that address natural resource loss on cropland. Alexis Collins, Public Affairs Specialist explains: “The Conservation Innovation Grant program is designed to demonstrate new techniques that have potential to solve natural resource problems. By funding these on-the-ground conservation projects, we hope to find creative solutions to common problems that producers can use.”

 One grant that is very cool caught my eye. Idagold Farms received $29,325 to demonstrate a biofuel production project in southern Idaho. The project will show that oilseed crops can provide both a feed crop and biofuel crop without taking the land out of food production. The University of Idaho received grants for projects that will develop best management practices as well as demonstrate new conservation technologies. The University received $74,705 to develop best management practices for insecticide application on dry bulb onions. The integrated pest management practices will improve insecticide effectiveness and reduce pesticide impacts in targeted watersheds.