The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds livestock producers that May 26 is the application deadline in their efforts to expand conservation on grazing lands. Investments of up to $22 million in partnerships through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) are designed to expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers.
NRCS Chief Terry Cosby said, “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. 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.
More information about projects and eligibility can be found on grants.gov. Applications will be accepted through Sunday, May 26, 2024.