FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2010
For More Information Contact: Paige Buck, State Public Affairs Specialist, (217) 353.6606, cel (217) 841-3813

2010 Conservation Innovation Grants for IL Is OPEN!

Champaign, IL—For a second year Illinois’ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will offer a state component under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). “The 2010 CIG application process has begun and is in motion,” says Illinois NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle. “Our schedule for accepting and selecting CIG project proposals is especially tight this year, so it’s important that partners and applicants access the information and get their paperwork in quickly.” To access 2010 CIG program details and application criteria, visit www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig or www.Grants.gov. All pre-proposals must be submitted to the IL NRCS State Office in Champaign by May 3, 2010; full applications must be received by June 11, 2010.

The CIG program is designed as a competitive grant option to stimulate creation and adoption of new conservation approaches and technologies that protect natural resources. As a sub-set of EQIP, CIG strives to speed the transfer and use technologies and methods that show promise in solving Illinois’ top natural resource problems. CIG funds projects that target innovative on-the-ground conservation solutions like pilot projects and field demonstrations. They can be single or multi-year projects but must meet specific criteria:

• Encourage use of market-based agricultural systems,
• Pursue promising new technologies, practices or systems,
• Use environmentally sound approaches with goals of environmental and natural resource protection in Illinois.

“Our goal is to select projects that will eventually find a secure and stable home in regular EQIP approved practices and funding assistance for Illinois’ conservation farmers,” adds Gradle. Resource categories for Illinois 2010 CIG remain the same as those for 2009—ENERGY, SOIL QUALITY, AIR QUALITY, WATER QUALITY, and INVASIVE SPECIES.

“I want to emphasize again that CIG is NOT a research grant program,” says Gradle. “It’s a way to stimulate popular use of conservation strategies that have been already been studied, that show real promise. We’re looking for ideas that NRCS can support technically and that Illinois producers can benefit from in a practical sense,” adds Gradle.

For the 2010 CIG program, Illinois NRCS will dedicate up to $640,000 (5% of EQIP budget) for high-ranking, selected CIG applicants. Individual grant awards are capped at $75,000 each and typically help carry out structural, vegetative or management practices.

Grant applications are accepted from State or local units of government, non-governmental organizations, and individuals. All producers, including beginning and limited resource farmers, and socially disadvantaged producers are eligible and encouraged to participate. To access all details and application requirements, visit www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig or call your local NRCS county office. For information on NRCS’ national CIG effort, visit National CIG Program Information.

###

NRCS - Helping People Help the Land
An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer