Historically Underserved Farmer-to-Farmer Outreach Grant Program

Program Sponsor: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Gulf of Mexico Division (GMD)

Geographic Scope: Non-Mississippi River Drainage Region consisting of TX, MS, AL, and portions of FL, GA, NM, and CO. Specific eligible counties are listed on the program page.

Purpose: Awards grants for outreach to Native American and historically underserved producers, as well as on-the-ground projects that mitigate hypoxic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico watershed. In the Gulf of Mexico watershed, farmers manage millions of acres of privately held working lands. Implementation of soil and water conservation practices can help reduce runoff and nonpoint source pollution.

Eligible Applicants

• Conservation districts
• State associations of conservation districts
• State agencies
• Resource Conservation & Development Councils
• Indian Tribal Governments
• Intertribal consortia

Note: The strength and diversity of collaborations will be evaluated and local partnerships are strongly encouraged. Interested parties are encouraged to develop projects with their local conservation district or another eligible entity.

Program Objectives

1. Work directly with Native American and/or historically underserved producers on novel or innovative techniques, methods, or approaches that reduce non-point source pollution and increase the sustainability and resiliency of their operations
2. Leverage partnerships to increase knowledge sharing and collaboration within and among historically underserved communities
3. Collect and analyze data to demonstrate the results of funded projects
4. Disseminate results to the community to inform future conservation or management practices and expand adoption of the most cost-effective and sustainable approaches

Required Project Activities

Projects must include at least one of the following types of activities:

Water Quality Initiatives:

• Nutrient reduction with creative runoff treatment solutions
• Innovative year-round ground cover to limit erosion
• Planting field buffers
• Conservation tillage
• Managing livestock access to streams
• Addressing key manure nutrient management issues (e.g., phosphorus saturation in soil, ammonia emissions, alternative uses for manure nutrients)
• Increasing implementation of nitrogen-use efficiency tools to better manage inorganic nitrogen inputs on cropland

Habitat Restoration Initiatives:

• Riparian zone improvement
• Observing environmental windows
• Restoration or protection of wildlife corridors
• Partner easements
• Landowner habitat planting/restoration
• Conservation and restoration of perennially flooded grasslands and forests
• Other innovative habitat ideas

Sustainable Forest Management Initiatives:

• Utilizing sustainable forestry practices that protect and maintain water quality and habitat
• Improving utilization of sustainable forestry practices through training, education, and public outreach
• Monitoring effectiveness of sustainable practices

Contact Information

Note: Status indicated "Please stay tuned for an announcement on selected grant recipients."

Related Resources

• EPA Gulf of Mexico Division Homepage
• NASDA Program Homepage
• Iowa DNR Homepage
• Winrock Program Homepage
• List of Eligible Counties
• Budget Template
• Technical Narrative Template
• GrantVantage Webinar Info and Recording

Application Process

Available Documents:

• Requests for Proposals (RFP)
• List of Eligible Counties
• Budget Template
• Technical Narrative Template
• GrantVantage Webinar Information and Recording

Submission:
To express interest or ask questions about participation:

• Email conservationprograms[at]nacdnet.org
• Inquire about help identifying your local conservation district
• Ask for additional program questions

Note: Specific application deadline and detailed step-by-step instructions were not provided in the available text. Applicants should contact the program directly for current submission deadlines and detailed application requirements.