Missouri Conservation Partnership and Technical Assistance | USDA NRCS MO MULTI 24 NOFO0001346

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 24 NOFO0001346

The Missouri Conservation Partnership and Technical Assistance opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) competitive cooperative agreement program focused on expanding conservation technical assistance capacity in Missouri. The core purpose is to build partnerships that help deliver, develop, promote, and support soil, water, and wildlife conservation programs for Missouri farmers, ranchers, and other landowners. The notice highlights that the funding announcement was issued ahead of final FY 2024 funding decisions, meaning the final amount available could change depending on federal appropriations or continuing resolutions.

For FY 2024, NRCS is looking for proposals that directly increase on-the-ground conservation planning and implementation support in several priority areas. A major emphasis is forest management planning and practice implementation, particularly writing forest management plans that meet NRCS Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) Code 106 requirements, with the goal of increasing Farm Bill program contracts that address forestland resource concerns. Another priority is nutrient management plan development that incorporates advanced and rapidly evolving technologies, especially precision approaches tied to climate-smart nutrient management; applicants are expected to demonstrate they can produce plans consistent with NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Code 590. NRCS is also seeking technical assistance and practice implementation support for wildlife habitat improvements, with a specific identified need around establishing and managing native grasses.

The solicitation also targets engineering-related capacity, including both training and direct support. Proposals may include training technical service providers or other qualified individuals to deliver engineering technical assistance for the design, layout, and checkout of NRCS conservation practices. In addition, NRCS is interested in surge-capacity style assistance to help producers participating in NRCS programs during periods of heavy workload, provided the work aligns with NRCS standards and specifications. Applicants are expected to be specific about what trainings or direct services they will provide, and to identify which conservation practices the assistance will support.

Another priority area is watershed and area-wide planning assistance connected to watershed assessment work under Public Law 83-566. This includes inventorying and analyzing watershed data, reviewing environmental documents, using spatial databases, collecting existing data, and conducting field assessments for watershed projects. The work would be performed under the oversight of NRCS Water Resources and Easements staff and involves coordination with watershed sponsors and contractors, including comparing deliverables against invoices to help confirm accurate billing. Proposals in this area are expected to lay out a clear timeline and define the specific services to be delivered.

The NFO also includes a soils data deliverable focus: developing a Missouri Soils Library database capturing chemical and physical properties of Missouri soils, and producing a mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy dataset for soils characterized during the original soil survey mapping work in the state. The intent is for these datasets to serve as baseline and reference data that can support future soil characterization and analysis.

A recurring expectation across projects is the ability to educate and support producers, including Historically Underserved producers and groups, in successfully accessing and applying Farm Bill conservation programs and implementing climate-smart conservation practices that support mitigation, adaptation, and resilience related to climate change. The notice outlines NRCS equity principles and defines USDA Historically Underserved categories (Beginning, Limited Resource, Socially Disadvantaged, and Veteran producers), emphasizing NRCSs commitment to fair and impartial access to programs for communities that have faced systemic barriers.

Administratively, applications are submitted through Grants.gov and will be screened for completeness and compliance; incomplete or noncompliant applications will be removed from consideration. NRCS notes that the Missouri State Conservationist may choose not to fund any or all applications. The program allows single-year or multi-year proposals from eligible entities. Eligible applicant types include state governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), and small businesses. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.902, with an expected number of awards of about five and an award ceiling of $500,000.

Key dates included in the notice are an application deadline of April 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, an anticipated selection date around May 20, 2024, and expected award execution around July 1, 2024 (all noted as estimates subject to change). NRCS also scheduled an informational webinar for March 5, 2024 at 9:00 am Central Time, with details and updates posted on the Missouri NRCS grants and agreements webpage, and provided contact emails for NFO-content questions while noting that agency staff cannot assist with Grants.gov account or technical submission issues.

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Missouri Conservation Partnership and Technical Assistance" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Small businesses.

Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 24 NOFO0001346

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