OVER $2 MILLION IN USDA GRANT FUNDS AWARDED FOR CONSERVATION WORK IN OREGON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information:
Sara Magenheimer, USDA NRCS Public Information Officer: (503) 414-3250, Sara.Magenheimer@or.usda.gov
 

PORTLAND, OR, June 27, 2007 – Over $2 million dollars has been awarded to Oregon conservation groups through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). These projects are designed to develop and refine cutting-edge technologies and approaches that can help producers maintain viable agricultural operations.

Oregon had more CIG recipients selected than any other single state, they include: Oregon State University, Farmers Conservation Alliance, Willamette Partnership, Pacifica: A Garden in the Siskiyous, Forest Restoration Partnership, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust.

“These groups are working on exciting and innovative projects, we look forward to working together and learning from each other in the future,” Bob Graham, Oregon NRCS State Conservationist.

Approved projects address traditional natural resource issues concerning agriculture such as water quantity, water quality improvement, livestock nutrient management, grazing lands and forest health, and soil resource management. Approved projects also address emerging natural resource issues including agricultural air emissions, energy conservation and market-based approaches to conservation.

Nationally, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, announced the award of nearly $20 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to 36 states to fund 51 projects.

“CIG accelerates development, transfer and adoption of promising new technologies and approaches to some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns,” said Rey. “CIG benefits agricultural producers and consumers by providing more options and possibilities for environmental enhancement. We proposed further expanding this successful program in the 2007 Farm Bill and we hope Congress enacts our proposal.”

The Bush Administration proposed a five-fold increase in funding for Conservation Innovation Grants in the 2007 Farm Bill from $20 million to $100 million per year.

CIG funds pilot projects and conservation field trials that can last from one to three years. As part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service administers CIG, which provides competitive grants to state and local governments, tribes, non-governmental organizations and individuals to promote the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.

Additional information about CIG, including summaries of approved projects, is available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig

A chart for a listing of FY 2007 CIG projects (PDF) can be found at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/2007awards.html

NRCS provides voluntary technical and financial assistance to people interested in protecting and enhancing soil, water, and related natural resources on non-federal lands. NRCS staffs work in every county in the state and directly assist farmers, ranchers, and others. NRCS is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Local contact information is located in the telephone book under the federal government listing or can be found online at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov

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