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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of $8 million to create  four regional funding agreements to assess and monitor the effects of Climate-smart practices on soil carbon sequestration. For FY 2022 NRCS plans to award one agreement in each of the Northeast, Southeast, Central, and West regions of the United States. Successful projects will align data collection methods with USDA soil carbon monitoring methods and must include a strategy to reach equity in historically underserved (HU) communities.

What is the program’s purpose? This is a new initiative designed to support and increase soil carbon stock monitoring to assess and monitor the effects of climate-smart practices on soil carbon sequestration.

The main objectives of this program are to:

• Deliver training to appropriate audiences on the Soil Organic Carbon Stock Measurement Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity (CEMA 221) as it relates to soil sampling for soil organic carbon and bulk density, data collection and management, and processing methods.

• Conduct outreach (in coordination with larger soil carbon monitoring networks) to engage producers to implement the CEMA 221 on all land uses where a change in management or vegetation is expected to impact soil organic carbon levels.

• Coordinate with NRCS National Technology Support Center Directors, the national Soil Health Division, the national Conservation Panning and Technical Assistance Division, and State NRCS offices in each region to develop and implement a strategy to support NRCS field offices readiness to provide assistance for the CEMA 221.

• Identify and recruit Qualified Individuals (QI) to provide assistance to producers in the State or region and develop a list of resources for producers to aid in completing the activity. Resources should include QI’s, equipment rental, education materials, and other local or regional organizations providing technical assistance related to carbon monitoring.

• Reach diverse producers to participate in NRCS financial and technical assistance in coordination with CEMA 221.

What are the anticipated funding amounts and duration? NRCS has made $8 million total available for four agreements targeting the Northeast, Southeast, Central, and West regions of the United States; one agreement will be awarded in each of the regions. The maximum amount for a single region award in FY 2022 is $2 million and the minimum funding for each award is $1.5 million with no matching funds required.

Projects may be between two and four years in duration. Applicants should plan their projects based on an estimated project start date of February 20, 2023.

Who is eligible to apply? Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:

• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
• Members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network
• State governments

Applications will be accepted from eligible entities and must include a strategy to reach equity in historically underserved communities.

When is the application deadline? Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on November 28, 2022.

The full Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found here.

Morrison has extensive experience writing successful applications for clients for NRCS programs. For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.