News Release

NRCS Oregon awards four Conservation Innovation Grants to develop new technologies for agriculture

Release No.: 2022-07-002

                                                                                               Contact: Misty Beals, CIG Program Lead

[email protected]

NRCS Oregon awards four Conservation Innovation Grants to develop new technologies for agriculture

PORTLAND, Ore. – (July 15, 2022) – The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon announces four Conservation Innovation Grant recipients selected to advance the development of innovative systems, tools, and technologies for production and conservation on agricultural lands.

Funding is provided through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which awards grants to organizations, universities, and others that are developing innovations to support farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.

This year’s four awardees include Farmers Conservation Alliance, Long Tom Watershed Council, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, and Western Landowners Alliance. Learn more about the innovative projects below:

Irrigation Modernization Scoping Tool, Farmers Conservation Alliance

CIG Investment: $73,743

The proposed project will develop a pilot version of a web-based scoping tool, called the IM Scoping Tool, that will allow irrigation community leaders to develop high-level modernization designs of their systems, estimate associated project costs, and project the potential energy conservation, water quantity, and water quality benefits of various modernization scenarios.

Small Ungulate Targeted Grazing for Willamette Valley Oak-Prairie Habitat Management, Long Tom Watershed Council

CIG Investment: $72,920

Prescribed grazing by sheep and goats will be harnessed as a restoration strategy to reduce woody plants in oak-prairie habitats in the south Willamette Valley. Effectiveness and impacts to native plant communities will be assessed and documented. Observations will be collected from a community of producers already utilizing targeted grazing for brush control and shared with producers and restoration practitioners. The project aims to increase support for oak-prairie habitat restoration by highlighting compatibility with rural livelihoods.

Beneficial Insect Floral Enhancement for Historically Underserved Producers in Arid Eastern Oregon, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides

CIG Investment: $45,360

This project will advance the utilization of Great Basin adapted nectar and pollen-rich plants established without the use of herbicides to improve habitat connectivity on and off the farm for unmanaged pollinators and natural predators.

Oregon landowner led strategies for non-lethal predator management, Western Landowners Alliance

CIG Investment: $100,000

This project will accelerate innovation and adoption of producer-implemented non-lethal predator management alternatives by:

1) evaluating strategies and technologies that enhance the efficiency of range riding – a conflict management approach with broad social and ecological applicability;

2) developing an Oregon case study for locally-supported carcass management via composting; and

3) implementing technologies that allow for adaptive implementation of non-lethal predator management.

This project also supports Oregon producer outreach and engagement with West-wide conflict reduction efforts to further support peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. It also supports increased coordination opportunities with county wolf committee representatives and ranchers through local NRCS working groups resulting in propagation of non-lethal techniques on working landscapes to enhance agricultural productivity while providing habitat for large carnivores.

Oregon’s previous CIG project investments include the development of carbon sequestration tools, the use of unmanned aerial systems to inventory conservation practices, the development of best management practices for nurseries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and establishing pollinator habitat on solar power plant sites.

NRCS accepts proposals for CIG funds annually at both the state and national level. For more information about submitting a grant proposal, visit the NRCS Oregon Conservation Innovation Grants webpage.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.