The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants livestock producers to know it is working to expand conservation on grazing lands. This involves investing up to $22 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers.
“Privately owned grazing lands cover nearly 30 percent of the national landscape, which means we have a tremendous opportunity to address climate change and conserve natural resources through voluntary, private lands conservation,” said NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. “NRCS enlists a wide variety of conservation practices to help livestock producers. These partnerships will also help us expand the footprint of conservation on grazing lands and could help better reach underserved producers.”
Project proposals for GLCI Cooperative Agreements will identify and address barriers to accessing grazing assistance for producers. These partnerships are encouraged to include outreach and support for reaching underserved producers.
Some of the local natural resource concerns are climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices and principles, encouraging existing and new partnerships through emphasizing equity in advancing the resource needs of underserved communities along with identifying and implementing strategies to quantify, monitor, report on and verify conservation benefits associated with grazing management systems.
Through GLCI, NRCS will use partnerships to increase technical assistance for farmers and ranchers engaged in grazing activities. This will increase knowledge and expertise in working with underserved producers to increase their participation in new and existing grazing coalitions.
To learn more about projects and eligibility, visit the funding opportunity on grants.gov. Applications are being accepted through Sunday, May 26, 2024.