NRCS-PA Seeking Applications To Expand Conservation Assistance To Underserved Agricultural Producers, Students To Pursue Careers In Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for projects that will improve outreach to underserved producers and underserved communities about conservation programs and services and opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. 

Applications are due April 27.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering up to $70 million in cooperative agreements with entities for two-year projects that encourage participation in NRCS programs, especially in underserved communities and among urban and small-scale producers.    

The Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements will include projects that:   

-- Promote the benefits of NRCS programs through education or demonstration of conservation practices  

-- Develop community conservation partnerships that engage underserved producers to plan and protect farmland ecosystems, watersheds, and wildlife habitat in underserved communities  

-- Inform small-scale or urban agriculture producers about opportunities to participate in conservation programs   

-- Support education on, planning for and adoption of climate smart conservation practices  

Projects should reach underserved groups through a combination of program outreach and technical assistance in one or more of the following five NRCS priority areas:    

-- Addressing local natural resource issues    

-- Promoting conservation career opportunities    

-- Expanding adoption of climate-smart conservation   

-- Encouraging conservation in small-scale and urban agriculture   

-- Developing conservation leadership skills and opportunities 

Webinars

Four webinars have been scheduled on this initiative starting March 7.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

Visit the NRCS-Pennsylvania webpage for more information on assistance available to Pennsylvania's agricultural community.

[Posted: February 28, 2023]  PA Environment Digest