The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award $15.7 million in grants to 47 organizations for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs).
These grants promote creativity and problem-solving efforts that benefit farmers and ranchers and protect our natural resources, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a USDA release. They’re critical in sparking new ideas and techniques for conservation on America’s private lands and improving the environment.
Funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the organizations receiving grants must work with farmers, ranchers and forestland owners to develop and demonstrate new technologies and approaches.
Organizations receiving grants to benefit Texans are Texas A&M AgriLife Research and The National Grazing Lands Coalition. These CIGs projects will aim to improve soil health and water holding capacity, water purification/treatment/recycling and power generation, and utilize outreach and grazing for better conservation and soil health.