NRCS/KACD Partnership Affiliate Grant

Funder: Kentucky Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in partnership with Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts

Award Amount: Covers 90% of Partnership Affiliate salary plus portion of employee benefits

Total Available: Over $1 million annually

Geographic Scope: Commonwealth of Kentucky

Background

In 2020, KACD entered into a cooperative agreement with the Kentucky Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide funding to enhance conservation district technical assistance across the Commonwealth. Funds are awarded to conservation districts to hire staff where additional capacity is needed to improve customer service and reduce workload pressure.

Eligibility

• Applicants: Kentucky Conservation Districts
• Priority based on national workload databases and state conservation partnership leaders' decisions
• Single county can employ a Partnership Affiliate, or multiple counties can share cost
• In joint county positions, one district designated as "lead district"

Funding Details

• NRCS Contribution: 90% of salary and portion of employee benefits
• District Contribution: 10% of salary
• Hourly Rate Range: $17-26 per hour (including benefits)
• Benefits: Encouraged but not strictly required
• NRCS Provisions: Computers and access to NRCS systems; employees must undergo background check and complete onboarding
• District Provisions: Office space, internet connectivity, fleet vehicles as available, mileage reimbursement

Requirements

• Employees must be available for assisting conservation efforts statewide (Federal, State, or District work)
• NRCS Supervisory DC, in coordination with KACD, assigns employees throughout commonwealth as workload demands
• Background check and NRCS system onboarding required
• No formal training requirement, though training offered and encouraged
• Apprentice level planner certification and appropriate job approval authority encouraged
• Monthly reimbursement documentation due by 15th of each month

Contact Information

• Organization: Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts
• Address: PO Box 4027, Frankfort, KY 40604-4027
• Phone: (502) 682-1770
• Email: Crystal.Renfro@kyconservation.com
• Executive Director: Crystal Renfro

Application Process

• Contact KACD for application and eligibility determination
• KACD acts as primary contact for the agreement
• NRCS participates in hiring process and performance reviews
• Districts submit monthly reimbursement requests to NRCS (due by 15th of each month)
• KACD handles quarterly financial reports and biannual performance reports