05/01/06 Conservation innovation grants

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has Idaho grant money for the first time ever under the Conservation Innovation Grant program. This program has been around for a couple of years on a national basis and now says State Conservationist Rich Sims there is money to help some Idaho producers on this 50-50 cost share program. SIMS "To address really three areas that we are honing in on; one is odor from feedlot operations, the second one is invasive species and the third one is grazing land management." Sims says there's 450 thousand dollars set aside for Idaho but there's a 75 thousand dollar limit per application. That means they can fund up to eight projects if there are enough applicants. Sims says that's the next step; check it out and apply. SIMS "And they need to have the information into Boise by May 15th and the forms and little more information is on our website, id.nrcs.usda.gov." If there aren't enough programs to fund with Conservation Innovation Grants any money left over goes back into the Idaho Environmental Quality Incentives Program and doesn't leave the state. Again, time is running out, May 15th is the deadline to apply for this new program. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott