USDA-NRCS Seeks Proposals from Conservation Minded Partners for Georgia-Focused Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia is requesting proposals to assist with implementing NRCS Chief Terry Cosby’s key priorities. The objective of this Notice of Funding is to obtain Technical Services and Projects to enhance Conservation Technical Assistance and Farm Bill Program Delivery across Georgia.

Conservation minded organizations, who wish to apply, should demonstrate how they can ensure equity in the delivery and implementation of all NRCS programs and Services; increase assistance for climate-smart agriculture and forestry to support producers in building resiliency across their operations; expand conservation tools and support to address the unique needs of urban farmers and communities nationwide; cultivate a complete and diverse workforce that has the right tools, technologies, and training to uphold the scientific integrity of NRCS; leverage innovative partnerships to expand NRCS’s ability to get conservation on the ground effectively and efficiently.

"We are looking to develop partnerships that can help up meet our Agency’s objectives more effectively," said Terrance O. Rudolph, state conservationist for NRCS in Georgia. “These investments in partners are effective tools that help us get better at delivering services to all our customers and communities throughout Georgia.”

NRCS in Georgia anticipates funding approximately $7,500,000 this fiscal year 2024 for 1–4-year projects that address topics such as Soil Health; Urban Agriculture and Conservation Education; Forestry Implementation; Pollinator Habitat Enhancement; Wildlife Habitat Enhancement; Georgia Native Warm Season Grasses; as well as Aquatic/Water Quality.

Potential applicants should review the Georgia NRCS Technical for Fiscal Year 2024 announcement of funding (USDA-NRCS-GA-MULTI-24-NOFO0001349) available at www.grants.gov, which includes application materials and submission procedures. Proposals for this funding announcement are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on March 9, 2024. All awards are subject to the availability of funds appropriated by Congress.

For further questions about this funding opportunity, please contact Eric Purifoy at eric.purifoy@usda.gov with a copy to NFO.FPAC@USDA.GOV.

Funding Authority

This announcement is authorized and funded under the Soil and Water Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CStP). For more information on these programs in Georgia, please visit www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov.

Federal Financial Assistance Training

The funding available through this NOFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).