03/30/07 Conservation innovation grants

Washington Ag March 30, 2007 To stimulate innovative approaches and investments in agricultural-based resource conservation in Washington state, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for 2007. Dave Brown, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist explains what's available. Brown: "This year like last year we are offering up to $150,000 in grant funds. Each individual grant is going to be limited to a maximum of $50,000 so we are hoping to fund up to three contracts here in Washington." Last year was the first year for NRCS's state innovation grant program. Brown: "And last we funded projects that ranged from agricultural plastics recycling to some direct seed technology out in the central part of the state. And over on the eastside we funded a project looking at some new h high tech ways of dealing with nutrient management." Applications for the conservation innovation grants must be into the NRCS state office by 4 p.m. on May 1st. For more info call Brown at 509-323-2971 or visit the Washington NRCS website. I'm Bob Hoff. Washington NRCS web site at http://www.wa.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/. For information about the national CIG grants program, applicants are urged to visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/.