Missouri Conservation Partnership and Technical Assistance | USDA NRCS MO MULTI 23 NOFO0001250

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 23 NOFO0001250

The Missouri Conservation Partnership and Technical Assistance opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding program designed to build partnerships that expand on-the-ground conservation support for Missouri farmers, ranchers, and other landowners. The central purpose is to fund partners who can provide technical assistance that helps people access and successfully use Farm Bill conservation programs, while also strengthening the delivery, development, promotion, and long-term support of soil, water, and wildlife conservation efforts across the state. Awards are intended to help applicants deliver practical, field-level services such as conservation planning, practice design and implementation support, producer education, and related outreach that increases adoption of effective conservation practices.

For FY 2023, the main emphasis is on Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry. NRCS is looking for proposals that can help landowners plan and implement conservation actions tied to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Priority work areas named in the notice include conservation planning and forest management planning (including supporting actual practice implementation), native forage establishment and management (which can improve soil health, grazing resilience, and habitat value), and nutrient management supported by advanced technologies and precision conservation tools. Applicants are expected to show they can educate producers on how to apply Farm Bill programs correctly and can deliver credible, technically sound planning and implementation assistance for climate-smart conservation practices.

This funding opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning NRCS expects an active partnership relationship rather than a simple pass-through grant. The notice also states it was released prior to final FY 2023 appropriation and apportionment, so the amount or availability of funding could change depending on federal budget actions. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements, and any application that is incomplete or does not follow the stated instructions can be removed from consideration. NRCS also makes clear that the Missouri State Conservationist may choose not to fund some or all applications even if they are eligible.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations that can deliver conservation technical assistance, including state governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled colleges and universities, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. NRCS indicates it will accept both single-year and multi-year applications. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $500,000 and anticipates making about 10 awards.

Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 1, 2023. The agency directed applicants with Grants.gov technical problems to contact Grants.gov support (since NRCS staff cannot help manage applicant accounts) and limited NRCS content questions to clarifying information already in the notice, such as dates or discrepancies, rather than discussing eligibility interpretations or proposal quality. NRCS estimated a selection date around May 15, 2023, with awards expected to be executed by September 15, 2023, noting these are targets that can change. A webinar was scheduled for April 11, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, with participation details available through the listed NRCS contacts in Missouri.

• The Department of Agriculture, 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 Feb 13, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 01, 2023. (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 10 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, For profit organizations other than small businesses.

Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 23 NOFO0001250

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