USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312.pdf

Conservation Innovation Grants, On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials Fiscal Year 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312

Issued: August 2023

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page i

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Overview

B. On-Farm Trials Priorities

C. On-Farm Trials Evaluations

D. SHD Evaluations and Study

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

B. Type of Award

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Other

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Information for New Users of Grants.gov

B. Electronic Application Package

C. Content and Form of Application Submission

D. Submission Dates and Times and Correspondence

E. Intergovernmental Review

F. Funding Restrictions

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Review and Selection Process

B. Merit/Technical Criteria

C. Administrative and Risk Criteria

D. Awards Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (if applicable)

VI. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Federal Award Notices

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

C. Patents, Inventions and Copyrights

D. Reporting

E. Audit Requirements

VII. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page ii

APPENDIX A – Instructions for Completing SF-424 APPENDIX B – Instructions for Completing SF-424A APPENDIX C – Budget Narrative Guidance APPENDIX D – Sample Budget Table and Narrative APPENDIX E – Budget Table Template APPENDIX F – Applicant Checklist

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2023

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312

Assistance Listing: This program is listed on Sam.gov under 10.912, Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

The System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U.S. Government. There is no cost to use SAM.gov. Active SAM registration is a pre-requisite to the successful submission of grant applications through Grants.gov. Information collected in SAM support Federal agency processes to award contracts, grants and electronic payments.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials) to stimulate the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. For 2023, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: irrigation management technologies; feed management and enteric methane reduction; grazing lands; nutrient management; and soil health demonstration (SHD) trials. Up to $50 million is available for On- Farm Trials in 2023. On-Farm Trials projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section IV for information about steps required before submitting your application through Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on October 30, 2023. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) requirements, contact the Federal awarding agency (Section VII of this NFO). Please limit questions to specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

A webinar for On-Farm Trials applicants is scheduled for September 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link and phone number:

https://sam.gov/content/home mailto:support@grants.gov

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 4

Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting Or call in (audio only) +1 202-650-0123 Phone Conference ID: 565 622 505#

The agency anticipates making selections by January 15, 2024 and expects to execute awards by May 31, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts

The funding floor for this opportunity is $250,000, and the funding ceiling is $5 million. The funding floor is defined as the minimum amount for the Federal share per project agreement. The ceiling is the maximum amount for the Federal share per project agreement. These floor and ceiling numbers refer to the total project agreement amount, not any specific fiscal year or calendar year.

Federal Financial Assistance Training

The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public through https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: (1) laws, regulations, and guidance; (2) financial assistance mechanisms; (3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; (4) cost principles; and (5) risk management and single audit.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YWVjMGE3ZjQtMDgyNy00YWIyLWI4MGMtMWMxY2YzNGU4OTRk%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2290bf243e-bb98-446a-9eba-b963e5885f36%22%7d https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 5

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

On-Farm Trials is authorized under 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8 and is authorized as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The Secretary of Agriculture delegated the authority to administer EQIP, including CIG, to the Chief of the NRCS. Half of the funds will be delivered through the Inflation Reduction Act, with the Secretary prioritizing proposals that utilize diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminants, and the funds shall be available for 1 or more agricultural conservation practices or enhancements that the Secretary determines directly improve soil carbon, reduce nitrogen losses, or reduce, capture, avoid, or sequester carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions, associated with agricultural production.

A. Overview

The purpose of On-Farm Trials is to stimulate the evaluation and adoption of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. For 2023, NRCS is implementing On-Farm Trials through eligible entities that will in turn work collaboratively with NRCS and agricultural producers to implement innovative approaches on private lands. On-Farm Trials supports the implementation of innovative approaches that have a positive conservation impact but which, for any number of reasons, have not yet been more widely adopted by producers.

On-Farm Trials funding is designed to provide technical assistance and incentive payments to producers to help compensate for risks associated with implementing new conservation practices, systems, and approaches. Evaluation is a key component of On- Farm Trials to ensure that environmental, financial, and social (to the extent possible) impacts of implementing innovative approaches are understood and can be used to inform future NRCS program, policy, and science activities.

The number of participating producers varies among On-Farm Trials projects, often reflecting the expense and complexity of the innovative approaches being implemented.

Producer participants for past projects range from five to over a hundred. Single demonstration sites are not appropriate for On-Farm Trials, as projects need a sufficient number of sites for meaningful data collection and evaluation. Priority consideration will be given to projects that implement innovative conservation approaches applicable to a range of agricultural operation sizes and types.

Proposed projects must be performed in the United States or U.S. territories.

NRCS welcomes applications from partners working in urban agriculture settings. Many of the natural resource priority topics described below in section I.B are relevant to urban farm operations.

The SHD component of On-Farm Trials (see item I(B)(5)) focuses exclusively on implementation of conservation practices and systems that improve soil health. SHD awardees must agree to follow consistent soil health assessment protocols to evaluate the effects of practice and system implementation.

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 6

NRCS intends to use the results of On-Farm Trials project evaluations and analyses to explore modifying existing guidance documents, technical tools, conservation practice standards, and NRCS business practices.

B. On-Farm Trials Priorities

Each year, NRCS identifies priority topics for On-Farm Trials. For FY 2023, On-Farm Trials applications must address one of the four priorities described in this section.

Proposals may address more than one priority, but each proposal must clearly identify a primary priority. The primary priority selected by an applicant will determine which expert peer panel will review the application.

1. Feeding Management and Enteric Methane Reduction

Livestock feeding management is critical to conservation of natural resources and climate solutions. In recent years a tremendous amount of research and field work has elucidated the potential for some of the largest reductions of greenhouse gas emissions through advances in livestock feeding that reduce enteric methane emissions. Building on what is known, on-farm trials seek to fill in knowledge gaps related to applied feeding management for enteric methane emissions reduction. This priority explores what is critical to ensure that producers effectively harness conservation technologies (especially feed management practices) that have moved beyond the research stage and are ready for implementation. The following describes five sub priorities and gives examples of what proposed projects might address.

a. Dietary interventions and feed additives that reduce enteric methane emissions

This sub priority is focused on evaluating refinements in ruminant diet manipulation and diet nutrient composition targeted at long-term reduction of enteric methane emissions. Projects might address long-term potential and effects of forage to concentrate ratios, use of oils and fats, minerals and salts, or feed additives for enteric methane reduction.

b. Feeding and animal management approaches that reduce enteric methane emissions

This sub priority is focused on feeding and animal management activities that are targeted at reducing enteric methane emissions by livestock in confined situations and on grazing lands. Projects might address improvements in the form or delivery of feed in confined feeding situations or the management of grazing cattle diets for forage quality, forage intake, and supplementation strategies and their effects on estimated or measured enteric methane emissions.

c. On-farm tools and techniques that estimate, measure, or validate reduction of enteric emissions

This sub priority is focused on improvements and additions to existing tools and technologies that estimate or measure enteric methane emissions on the farm.

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 7

Tools and technologies might include computer models, unmanned aerial or ground vehicles, drones, satellites, remote sensing, or portable chambers. Projects that use technology for measurement and validation (rather than estimates or assumptions) are encouraged.

d. Hybrid enteric methane emission reduction

This sub priority is focused on using a combination of promising enteric methane reduction strategies or technologies on the farm to determine their combined effectiveness or their potential combined ineffectiveness. Projects might include combining promising interventions with different modes of action that may produce additive effects on enteric methane reduction. Similarly, projects might evaluate combining promising interventions that may interfere with each other, negatively affecting enteric methane reductions.

e. Social and economic implications of adopting new or different feeding technologies

This sub priority is focused on understanding the social, economic, and cultural phenomena associated with feeding management technologies to address natural resource concerns and reduce enteric methane emissions. Projects are encouraged that use trans-disciplinary teamwork, including coordination between social and behavioral scientists and economists to identify barriers and pathways to producers adopting new feeding technologies for enteric methane emission reduction across various scales and structures of agriculture. Projects might evaluate interactions and synergies among social, cultural, economic, and technologic approaches to feed management for enteric methane emission reduction that inform producer decision-making to achieve environmental outcomes.

2. Irrigation Water Management Technologies

NRCS seeks On-Farm Trials proposals to evaluate innovative water management systems that enhance a producer’s ability to monitor irrigation needs effectively, manage irrigation practices efficiently, and increase water savings by using precision technologies. Innovative irrigation systems should focus on balancing producer needs with conservation benefits. Examples of innovative irrigation water management technologies include:

Tools that measure plant distress, soil moisture, or that use indigenous irrigation scheduling techniques and automate irrigation through regular reporting to a centralized system.

Technologies that combine as-applied irrigation and atmospheric data with crop growth models and soil data using cloud-based systems and devices, allowing producers to assess irrigation needs remotely or from a handheld device.

Innovative approaches that address obstacles to adopting irrigation water management systems that use water more efficiently. These obstacles may include

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 8 substantial upfront costs of system installation, accessibility of systems (i.e., availability for purchase at mainstream retailers), ease of installation, and the need for system customization.

Cost effective and low maintenance sensor technologies that monitor pertinent crop root zone variables (e.g., electrical, physical, and chemical) to inform irrigation decisions and automate variable rate irrigation in soilless agricultural systems (e.g., hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics).

3. Nutrient Management

NRCS seeks On-Farm Trials applications that help producers achieve conservation benefits through efficient nutrient management directly addressing site risk for nutrient loss. Examples of innovative approaches under this priority include:

a. Innovative nutrient management that utilizes testing and monitoring to drive dynamic in-season adjustments to nutrient applications in real time. The goal is to better respond to climate change to increase efficiency and reduce nutrient loss from weather extremes. Innovations should include technologies that support real-time adjustments to site-specific nutrient management in both space and time.

b. Managing nutrients to specifically address each site’s inherent risk for nutrient runoff to surface water and nutrient leaching to groundwater or drainage that flows to surface water.

c. Using site-specific 4R Nutrient Management (Nutrient Stewardship) integrated with nutrient recovery systems such as bioreactors, digesters, and multistage drainage strategies to mitigate nutrient losses as a complete conservation system.

d. Implementing SMART (right rate, timing, method, and source, including Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEF)) to better meet plant needs and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus leaching and runoff that can impact ground and surface water.

e. Using in-season nutrient management techniques (such as soil and plant tissue analysis or field observations to check for plant nutrient deficiency or toxicity) to mitigate potential nutrient losses.

4. Grazing Lands

NRCS seeks On-Farm Trials proposals to facilitate adopting new tools, technologies, and strategies that assist with improving and managing grazing lands in the United States at the ranch, farm, or urban interface scale. Innovative livestock grazing management practices used in conjunction with automated tools promote intensive grazing land management systems. These systems meet ecological and economic sustainability goals, such as maintaining and improving grazing lands and wildlife habitat, controlling invasive plants, and reducing large and small animal-predator (primarily carnivores) interactions on rangelands, pasturelands, and urban interface areas. They also optimize producer profitability and minimize risks.

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 9

Innovative practices and decision support tools that assist grazers at the farm/ranch or small-scale with improving grazing land health and animal welfare (both small and large animals) will also be considered in this priority area.

Examples of innovative technologies and approaches that applicants could address through this priority include:

Evaluating low-cost, easy-to-use innovative tools, data analysis applications, and other diagnostic tools and sensors coupled with innovative herding and fence technologies to manage animal nutrient intake and livestock distribution for use on grazing lands to meet grazing land health attributes and other ecosystem services.

Evaluating innovative methods that address prescriptive or targeted livestock management strategies that reduce wildfire risk and decrease invasive plant populations at the ranch, farm, or urban interface scale.

Evaluating innovative methods that address and improve critical riparian and wetland habitat areas, minimize drought impacts, maintain and improve carbon sequestration, and provide options for nontraditional winter-feeding management practices at the farm or ranch scale.

Evaluating methods that couple forage and animal production systems that can accurately establish preferred timing, duration, and frequency of animal use with implemented restoration practices to meet grazing management plan goals and objectives, including enhancing newly restored grazing lands.

Evaluating systems-level analytical tools that allow for animal care and welfare, primarily from predation, at an individual or herd level by examining nonlethal predator control techniques to ensure long-term viability of livestock operations and carnivores sharing the landscape.

Coordinating with independent livestock producers, local landowner groups, and collaborative stakeholder groups to implement and evaluate nonlethal predator control techniques for large and small animals, employing technologies such as turbo fladry fencing, LED solar powered guard lights and stereos, radio activated guard boxes, and other visual and audio deterrents.

Other management practices could include non-lethal predator harassment techniques, guard dog placement, carcass-bone removal, and range riding (including an assessment of the complex ecological, economic, and social interactions of techniques employed).

5. Soil Health Demo Trials

Soil Health Demo (SHD) Trials supports on-farm demonstrations of Soil Health Management Systems (SHMS) and production systems being transitioned to a SHMS. A SHMS is a collection of management practices that focus on increasing soil carbon levels and improving soil health by addressing the soil health management principles of: (1) minimizing disturbance, (2) maximizing soil cover, (3) maximizing biodiversity, and (4) maximizing presence of living roots. SHD proposals must indicate which of the four soil health management principles the prospective project would address. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address all four principles. The

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 10 foundation of an SHMS is the development of one or more Soil Health Management Units (SHMU) that geographically embody one or more planning land units with similar soil type, land use, and management that can vary in size or acreage depending on soil texture, topography, and cropping system. A SHMU is like a conservation management unit but designed to assess soil health status and potential limitations on soil health indicators.

When the four soil health management principles are implemented together and adapted to a given production system (the SHMU), the principles and practices are synergistic and regenerate, build, and maintain soil health and provide critical ecosystem services. The conservation practices that make up a successful SHMS (one or more SHMUs) are adapted to address the diverse production systems, climates, ecosystems, and soils of a variety of operations to effectively build healthy, functioning soil. The objective of the SHD is to identify, document, and evaluate regionally successful approaches and outcomes of fully implemented or transitioning SHMS in varied production systems.

Comparative trials of full SHMS with similar systems that do not incorporate SHMS principles or systems that are transitioning to SHMS are desired. All SHD proposals should include baseline data, controls, and standard assessment methods, including information about the farm, geographic identification (through maps and geocoordinates) of each identified SHMU and SHDT sample site, and important information on the farming practices, tillage types, depths, number of passes, crops grown, crop yields, irrigation water quality test data, fertilization types, amounts, application methods, pest control, cover crops, soil health lab test data, and other management inputs requested by NRCS. See the Soil Health Demo Trials Soils Template posted on the CIG website for the full dataset that will be required for collection and submission. NRCS will consider this information during the proposal evaluation process (see more details in the “SHD Evaluations and Study” section I.D.

below). All cover crops used must be identified by scientific name, common name, and variety (when relevant). SHD applications must also identify at least one of the following national SHD sub priorities. Applicants are encouraged to address multiple national sub priorities, to the extent practicable.

SHD National sub priorities:

Designing SHMS for high disturbance production systems, such as potatoes, onions, sugar beets, and other root crops.

Developing SHMS that include applying carbon amendments, such as compost or biochar with evaluations of the effects on soil carbon and soil health.

Improving cover crop management in regions with specific challenges (e.g., timing of planting and termination in water-limited regions or pest management in humid regions).

Integrating greater diversity in production systems, such as managing soil health on grazing land, perennial vegetation in cropping systems, integrated crop-livestock systems, or other diversification.

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 11

Designing SHMS with adapted nutrient management strategies for improved water quality (e.g., systems that address dissolved reactive phosphorus and other phosphorus in the soil in cold climates and nutrient-threatened watersheds).

Addressing any of the previous sub priorities within the context of climate change adaptation, resilience, or soil carbon stock changes, with special attention toward collecting data to define and quantify outcomes. If climate mitigation is part of an SHD proposal, the methods for estimating entity-scale emissions should follow the USDA report titled “Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory.”

C. On-Farm Trials Evaluations

On-Farm Trials projects under all four priorities consist of two major components: (1) on-farm implementation of innovative conservation approaches and (2) evaluation of the impacts. The evaluation component includes assessment of the environmental, financial, and (to the extent possible) social impacts of implementing the innovations. Awardees must work closely with participating producers to ensure that sufficient data are collected to analyze these impacts, and they must ensure that producer privacy is maintained throughout the project and dissemination of project results.

Applications must describe the proposed evaluation approach, including collecting baseline data and using controls and methods for assessing financial and social impacts.

The NRCS Technical Note 200-ECN-4 provides guidance on developing conservation case studies and should also be considered in preparing the application; it is available on the NRCS’s Developing Economic Case Studies website. In addition, a recent Environmental Defense Fund publication, developed with support from NRCS, provides guidance on analyzing farm financial outcomes and is another available resource.

Social evaluations can inform strategies to increase adoption of conservation practices and systems to encourage lasting change beyond the duration of an On-Farm Trials project. Social outcomes analyses consider the factors that go into a producer’s decision to undertake conservation activities, how that producer’s decision influences other producers, and any broader impacts on communities.

Partners interested in undertaking social evaluations may wish to refer to the Social Indicators Data Management and Analysis (SIDMA) tool. SIDMA was developed by the Great Lakes Regional Social Indicators Team, and provides resources for measuring, organizing, and analyzing social indicators related to conservation practices. While SIDMA was developed for use in water quality projects, extrapolation of its methods to other resource concerns is generally straightforward. To explore and use the online tool, visit the SIDMA website. Partners who conduct an analysis of social outcomes of their project should make sure that this effort is overseen by a qualified staff person or third party.

https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=48033.wba https://iwr.msu.edu/sidma/Home.aspx

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 12

Applicants must describe their capability and capacity for carrying out On-Farm Trials evaluations. Applicants are encouraged to partner with organizations and individuals that have experience in carrying out environmental, economic, and social evaluations.

Evaluation methods and approaches are subject to negotiation prior to execution of the On-Farm Trials agreement. Applicants must identify in their budget documents the amount of On-Farm Trials funding proposed for evaluation expenses.

D. SHD Evaluations and Study

Projects funded under the SHD priority must meet additional protocol, data collection, and evaluation requirements. Similar to the broader On-Farm Trials program, SHD projects must include a robust environmental and financial evaluation. However, unlike the broader On-Farm Trials program where a social evaluation is optional, SHD projects must also include an evaluation of the social effects of implementing soil health management systems and practices.

At a minimum, evaluations should include the following: (1) a short term (within crop season) assessment of the effectiveness of soil carbon amendments and soil health management practices (e.g., cover crop adoption) on soil health, crop health, vigor and yield, change in irrigation amounts applied (if applicable), changes in soil health indicators based on the soil lab test data, and other quantitative or qualitative data, as well as cost vs. benefit analysis; (2) a long term (life of the award) assessment including items listed in the “short term assessment”; and (3) overall recommendations to NRCS about the adoption of soil carbon amendments and their effects on crop production, soil health, cost vs. benefit, and other noteworthy findings.

Unique to SHD is the necessity of using common evaluation protocols and methods for assessing soil carbon changes and other soil health outcomes. Eligible entities must:

1. Use recommended NRCS standards in field and laboratory methods for soil carbon and other soil health indicator measurements, as defined in the Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual, Version 6.0, Part 1: Current Methods (usda.gov) and Technical Note 450-06. This does not preclude inclusion of additional measurements beyond the identified NRCS minimum data collection requirements. Awardees must collaborate with NRCS soil health experts to ensure consistency in field and laboratory methods. The awardee will enter all soil test data into a NRCS-provided data system prior to the end of the award.

2. Work with State or local NRCS soil scientist to verify the soil map unit(s) and component(s) on which the trial site is located.

3. Collect all current and historic management information from participating producers (tillage, crop rotation, nutrient, and other input applications), and enter it into an NRCS-provided data system. A 5-year or longer management history is required to better capture long-term soil health impacts.

4. Collect all environmental and financial outcome data to include profitability (cost of production, current yield, and historic yield where available), and enter it into an https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2022-10%2FSSIR42-v6-pt1.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C034ab1ec063042486c8508db50c9eca1%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638192600911730144%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=AIvoKSsevsqhm8zpNQQ%2Fz5p%2BtHGypYW3uOHDMVye3WE%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2022-10%2FSSIR42-v6-pt1.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C034ab1ec063042486c8508db50c9eca1%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638192600911730144%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=AIvoKSsevsqhm8zpNQQ%2Fz5p%2BtHGypYW3uOHDMVye3WE%3D&reserved=0 https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/ViewerFS.aspx?hid=45895

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 13

NRCS-provided data system. When available, include data such as effects of systems on infiltration rates, ground water recharge, plant available water, runoff, water quality, flooding, pest resilience, weather resilience, air quality, etc.

5. At a minimum, develop summary information on social outcomes and profiles of participating producers with information about why management changes were adopted, as well as challenges and benefits of the changes.

6. To facilitate broader adoption, provide details on how project results will be shared with producer communities, such as through on-farm field days and other activities.

Implementing mentor groups to facilitate changing production systems is highly encouraged. Projects should be designed to assist with implementation and coordination so that opportunities for idea exchange occur between producers or service providers that have implementation experience and participants who are experiencing change.

7. Develop regionally-relevant production-specific and climate-specific SHMS templates for future producers, especially in cases where a novel approach is used to address specific resource concerns or challenging conditions.

The standard SHD dataset requirements and methods are available on the CIG website.

Any awarded SHD applications that propose to address carbon sequestration or reduced greenhouse gas emissions must use quantification methodologies that adhere to requirements found in the USDA report titled “Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory.”

Entities receiving an On-Farm Trials SHD award are required to submit their full data set through a data system that will be provided by NRCS. It is incumbent upon SHD partners to inform participating producers that geospatial, soil, conservation practice, and other information will be provided to NRCS and maintained in a confidential Federal database from which aggregated findings will be made available to the public without personally identifiable information. No database information will be shared with the public without a producer’s consent. However, names of participating producers and any incentive payments received are subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

1. Estimated Funding

The Federal funding agency expects to award approximately $50 million through this opportunity. However, the agency retains the discretion to award a larger or lesser amount.

2. Start Dates and Performance Periods https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDATB1939_07072014.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDATB1939_07072014.pdf

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 14

Projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration. Applicants should plan their projects based on an estimated project start date of May 31, 2023.

3. Number of Awards

The agency expects to make between 10 and 20 awards.

B. Type of Award

1. Type of Federal Award

The agency plans to award grant agreements pursuant to this opportunity. Depending on the nature of a particular proposal received, the agency may elect to negotiate an alternate award type with the selected applicant.

2. Eligibility of Renewal or Supplemental Project Applications

Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards. An application for renewal is an application submitted to continue an existing agreement that meets the objectives and requirements of this NFO. An application for supplementation of an existing project is an application that adds components to an existing agreement so that it will meet the objectives and requirements in this NFO.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award. Eligible applicant type is determined by the implementing program statute. Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited or restricted, or excluded from receiving Federal contracts and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program (2 CFR 200.206(d)).

Entity types that may meet these criteria include the following:

city or township governments, county governments, for profit organizations other than small businesses, 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), private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, small businesses, USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 15 special district governments, and state governments.

Individuals are not eligible applicants. Federal entities are not eligible applicants.

Foreign entities are not eligible applicants.

For-profit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if their primary business is related to agriculture. Nonprofit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if they have experience working with agricultural producers. Governmental organizations that are not federal entities are eligible.

Eligible entities must have access to a sufficient number of producer participants to facilitate implementing On-Farm Trials of conservation practices and systems on private lands.

B. Other

Any award made pursuant to this NFO will be made to a single entity. Applicants that apply as “partnerships” or other similar groupings must clearly describe the relationship between the applicant and the “partner” parties. In all but exceptional cases, an awardee/sub awardee relationship must be reflected in the award.

An applicant organization may submit more than one application for different projects or that propose different approaches. In the case of applications submitted as revisions or corrections to a previously submitted application under this NFO, the agency will consider the last application submitted prior to the established deadline.

Awards made pursuant to this NFO are not Farm Bill incentive contracts; therefore, the awards themselves are not limited by the payment limitation in 16 U.S.C. Chapter 58.

However, any agricultural producers receiving a payment through participation in a project awarded under this NFO must meet the eligibility requirements of 7 CFR parts 12 and 1400 and have control of the land involved for the term of the proposed award period.

1. Producer Eligibility

Any producer who is an entity receiving an On-Farm Trials incentive payment must meet the EQIP eligibility requirements listed in 7 CFR 1466.6(b)(1) through (3):

Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions (7 CFR part 12).

Be a legal entity, joint operation, Indian tribe, or native corporation who is engaged in agricultural production or forestry management or has an interest in the agricultural or forestry operation as defined in 7 CFR part 1400.

Have control of the land involved for the term of the proposed contract period.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9f4f884054dfc7c69c3cabc41dc0a83d&mc=true&node=se7.10.1466_16&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9f4f884054dfc7c69c3cabc41dc0a83d&mc=true&node=se7.10.1466_16&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9f4f884054dfc7c69c3cabc41dc0a83d&mc=true&node=pt7.1.12&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9f4f884054dfc7c69c3cabc41dc0a83d&mc=true&node=pt7.10.1400&rgn=div5

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 16

In addition, producers receiving On-Farm Trials incentive payments must meet the adjusted gross income requirements under Section 1001D(b)(1) of the 2018 Farm Bill (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(a)(1)).

2. Incentive Payments

On-Farm Trials awards must include incentive payments (derived from the NRCS award funding) disbursed to agricultural producers on whose land project activities are being carried out. While On-Farm Trials incentives provided to producers can be a combination of cash and equipment/supplies, all projects must include some cash payments directly to producers. These payments compensate producers for adopting and evaluating new conservation approaches. Incentive payments may be comprised of foregone income reimbursement, land rental costs, conservation implementation-related equipment costs, construction costs, evaluation costs, or other considerations necessary to facilitate effective execution of an on-farm trial. Any land rental, equipment rental, or depreciation costs must be adequately justified. Incentive payments must be paid directly to agricultural producers from entities receiving On-Farm Trials awards. Producers do not enter into contracts with NRCS.

On-Farm Trials applications must include the overall amount of incentive payments the eligible entity intends to offer, the amount of incentive payments an individual producer may receive, and details on the composition of the incentive payments (e.g., cash vs. equipment/supplies/technical assistance).

The following provisions apply to On-Farm Trials funding:

a. NRCS requires that eligible entities work with NRCS staff to ensure that all producers receiving On-Farm Trials incentives are EQIP eligible and in compliance with the Farm Bill’s adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation and highly erodible land and wetlands conservation provisions prior to disbursement of incentives. Non-EQIP eligible producers are allowed to participate in On-Farm Trials projects by providing data, but any direct benefits dispersed can only be applied to EQIP eligible participating producers.

b. Section 1704 (a)(3) of the 2018 Farm Bill (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(b)(3)) states the Secretary may waive the AGI limit on a case by case basis, if the Secretary determines that environmentally sensitive land of special significance would be protected as a result of such a waiver. On-Farm Trials awardees may request AGI waivers for producer payments once their project commences.

c. Entities receiving On-Farm Trials awards are required to submit producer information and amounts of incentive payments made to individuals annually.

This is required by the On-Farm Trials statute and will be a requirement of the award.

d. On-Farm Trials incentive payments do not count toward a producer’s EQIP payment limitation under the 2018 Farm Bill (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a).

Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985, 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(d)(2), prohibits duplicative payments. Entities receiving an On-Farm Trials award are responsible for https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2/text https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2018-title7/pdf/USCODE-2018-title7-chap35-subchapII-partA-sec1308-3a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2018-title7/pdf/USCODE-2018-title7-chap35-subchapII-partA-sec1308-3a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title16/pdf/USCODE-2010-title16-chap58.pdf

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 17 ensuring that incentive payments are not provided to a producer for a conservation practice, system, or approach for which the producer has already received, or is contracted to receive, funding through another NRCS or USDA program.

3. NRCS Responsibilities

Successful On-Farm Trials projects require close collaboration and partnership between awardees and NRCS. NRCS will designate a technical contact to serve as the main technical liaison between NRCS and the awardee, and additional NRCS staff are likely to be engaged in On-Farm Trials projects.

NRCS is required to provide technical oversight to each On-Farm Trials project. At a minimum, NRCS is required to ensure that participating producers are EQIP eligible and in compliance with the Farm Bill’s AGI, highly erodible lands, and wetlands conservation provisions. In addition, NRCS is responsible for ensuring that On-Farm Trials projects and activities comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and other Federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

NRCS may work with awarded partners to refine On-Farm Trials evaluation methodologies and will review project results for possible inclusion into NRCS publications and technical documents.

4. Cost Sharing or Matching

There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. There is no competitive advantage to applicants who voluntarily provide a match.

5. Technical Assistance

On-Farm Trials applicants must include the portion of the proposed award amount that will be applied to technical assistance. Technical assistance refers to all activities required to implement innovative conservation approaches on farm or ranch land.

Technical assistance activities include conservation planning, design and engineering, and quality assurance and verification.

The On-Farm Trials technical evaluation criteria in Section V of this notice makes clear that NRCS gives preference to partner entities that are able to wholly supply the technical assistance needed for On-Farm Trials projects, either on their own or through working with technical service providers or other qualified entities and individuals.

Proposals must identify the individuals or entities providing technical assistance services and describe their qualifications. If these individuals or entities are not certified technical service providers or NRCS-certified conservation planners, applications must provide sufficient evidence that the individuals or entities are qualified to carry out implementation activities.

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 18

6. Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers

NRCS is committed to the success of our nation’s Historically Underserved (HU) producers, businesses, and partners. HU producers play a vital role in securing a healthy agricultural economy for our country and are momentous leaders in protecting, enhancing, and sustaining our valuable natural resources. NRCS encourages proposal submissions from entities that represent or are focused on working with HU producers.

For the FY 2023 award process, at least 10 percent of the total funds available for On- Farm Trials are set aside for proposals that entirely benefit HU producers. This HU set aside will ensure that equity is incorporated in the planning and delivery of On- Farm Trials projects to align with NRCS’s Justice40 goals.

To qualify under the EQIP rule for the HU set-aside, On-Farm Trials applicants must be:

a. a community-based organization comprised of, representing, or exclusively working with HU producers for the life of the project;

b. an entity developing an innovative conservation approach or technology specifically targeting the unique needs and limitations of HU producers for the life of the project; or

c. an 1890 or 1994 land-grant institution (7 U.S.C. 3222, et seq.), Hispanic-serving institution (20 U.S.C. 1101a), or other minority-serving institution, such as a historically Black college or university (20 U.S.C. 1061), a tribally controlled college or university (25 U.S.C. 1801), or Asian American and Pacific Islander-serving institution (20 U.S.C. 1059g) at the time of application.

In the narrative portion of their proposal, applicants applying under (b) must include the names of partners with a history of trusted relationships with HU producers. In addition, the project narrative must clearly describe how the project is designed to target the unique needs and limitations of HU producers.

The regulatory definitions of an HU farmer or rancher may be found at the NRCS Outreach and Partnerships web page.

To compete for set-aside funds, applicants must signal their intent by following the instructions in Section IV(C).

Applicants competing in the HU set-aside must meet all other requirements of this announcement, including addressing at least one CIG priority listed in this notice.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/partner-with-us/outreach-and-partnerships https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/partner-with-us/outreach-and-partnerships

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312: Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials Program Page 19

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Information for New Users of Grants.gov

1. Overview

While a Grants.gov account is not required to download an NFO and related documents, it is required to submit an application. If your organization has never applied through Grants.gov, please be aware that there are several steps you must take to register your organization before you can submit an application. Completing those steps can take a significant amount of time, so plan accordingly.

For information about the Grants.gov pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle see the Grants.gov Pre-Award Phase web page.

2. Register to Apply through Grants.gov

Carefully review the registration steps and gather information requested prior to beginning the registration process to avoid last-minute searches for required information. For assistance with the registration process, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Organizations must complete all steps to register (IV(A)(3)(a) through (e)). Complete organization instructions are included on the Grants.gov Organization Registration web page.

Although creating a Grants.gov account online can take only minutes, SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, organizations should begin the process early to ensure they have sufficient time to complete registration and meet required application submission deadlines.

3. Steps to Register

a. Obtain a UEI: All entities applying for funding must have a UEI issued by SAM.gov. Applicants must enter the UEI in the data entry field labeled "UEI" on the Standard Form (SF) 424.

b. Register with SAM: All organizations must register with SAM to apply online through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. Part of the SAM registration process includes designating an Electronic Business (EBiz) point of contact (POC). The EBiz POC plays an integral part in the organization’s Grants.gov registration and application process. The individual in that role must authorize all other roles in Grants.gov. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to the Grants.gov “Step 2:

Register with SAM” web page.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html…