Project Grant 97796701

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT IS SUPPORTED BY FUNDING PROVIDED UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) (PL 117-58). THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO SUPPORT AND ADVANCE THE GULF HYPOXIA ACTION PLAN THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION OF IOWA'S NUTRIENT REDUCTION STRATEGY. THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS OF THE IOWA NUTRIENT REDUCTION STRATEGY AND ADVANCE THE GULF HYPOXIA ACTION PLAN THROUGH ADVANCING THE VOLUNTARY ADOPTION OF PROVEN NUTRIENT REDUCTION PRACTICES ON PRIVATE LANDS, THAT ALSO PROVIDE MULTIPLE BENEFITS (WILDLIFE HABITAT, CARBON SEQUESTRATION, ETC.). THE PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON EXPANDING AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO LEVERAGE FARMERS' TRUSTED ADVISORS TO IDENTIFY, PLAN, AND SUPPORT IMPLEMENTING THESE PRACTICES IN PRIORITY WATERSHEDS. THIS APPROACH IS CRITICAL IN PROVIDING ADDITIONAL CAPACITY TO REACH ADDITIONAL FARMERS AND PROVIDES A MORE STREAMLINED APPROACH TO CONNECTING WITH AND DELIVERING THESE PRACTICES MORE EFFICIENTLY. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE ADVANCING THE VOLUNTARY ADOPTION OF PROVEN NUTRIENT REDUCTION PRACTICES ON PRIVATE LANDS, THAT ALSO PROVIDE MULTIPLE BENEFITS (WILDLIFE HABITAT, CARBON SEQUESTRATION, ETC.). THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF PRACTICES THAT WILL LEAD TO AN ESTIMATED REDUCTION OF: - 2 MILLION LBS. OF NITROGEN, - 57,000 LBS. OF PHOSPHORUS, - 235,000 TONES OF CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVALENTS (CO2E).SUBRECIPIENT:A SUBAWARD WILL BE MADE TO AN NGO THAT WILL PROVIDE THE CONSERVATION AGRONOMISTS STAFFING AND COORDINATION SUPPORT FOR THIS WORKPLAN. THIS PROJECT ANTICIPATES EXTENDING 3 CURRENT CA POSITIONS AND 2 NEW CAS IN STRATEGIC AREAS BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM PARTNERS/STAKEHOLDERS. IDALS ANTICIPATES THIS WILL BE A COMPETITIVE PROCESS TO ESTABLISH THIS SUBAWARD. THE NGO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THE STAFFING SUPPORT FOR THE CONSERVATION AGRONOMISTS THAT WILL UTILIZE THESE FUNDS TO EXTEND AND EXPAND THE WORK DETAILED IN THIS WORKPLAN.OUTCOMES:THE DELIVERABLES TO BE PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE ENHANCEMENTS OF THE EXISTING NETWORK PROVIDED THROUGH : 1. ENHANCE THE COORDINATION AND JOINT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN THE CONSERVATION AGRONOMISTS AND AG RETAIL STAFF RELATIONSHIPS AND WITH WATERSHED COORDINATORS/OTHER CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE PRIORITY PRACTICE IMPLEMENTATION. 2. CONNECT FARMERS WITH TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INSTALL PRIORITY IN-FIELD (COVER CROPS, REDUCED TILLAGE, 4RS, ETC.) AND EDGE-OF-FIELD PRACTICES (SATURATED BUFFERS, BIOREACTORS, MULTIPURPOSE OXBOWS, WATER QUALITY WETLANDS, ETC.) 3. CONTINUE TO GROW AG RETAIL ENGAGEMENT AND KNOWLEDGEBASE IN CONSERVATION AND NUTRIENT REDUCTION PRACTICES TO AUGMENT AGRONOMIC AND PRODUCTION EXPERTISE. 4. EMPHASIZE OUTREACH EFFORTS AND PRIORITIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, WITHIN PRIORITY WATERSHEDS, FOR PARTICIPATION IN INSTALLING CONSERVATION PRACTICES. BECAUSE THIS EFFORT BUILDS UPON THE NETWORK, IT WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AND AUGMENT EXISTING SYSTEMS TO TRACK AND REPORT DELIVERABLES THESE CONSERVATION AGRONOMISTS (CAS) WILL PROVIDE THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE PROJECT. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF IOWA AND RESIDENTS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO.