Use data collected by drones, eqip incentives, and careful program evaluation to enhance economic, environmental, and social conservation planning outcomes for HU producers

This $4,999,913.20 Project Grant, awarded on September 12, 2024 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (CFDA 10.912), will support Minority Farmers Of The South, a small agricultural cooperative and minority-owned non-profit organization, in enhancing economic, environmental, and social conservation planning outcomes for historically underserved agricultural producers.

The key products and services to be delivered through this multi-year grant include leveraging data collected by drones, EQIP incentives, and careful program evaluation to improve conservation planning and implementation. The project aims to promote sustainable agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality by assisting farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest landowners with implementing innovative conservation practices, technologies, and approaches. These efforts will focus on enhancing soil health, managing water resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting climate-smart agriculture across diverse agricultural and forestry landscapes.