Missouri Conservation Partnership, Outreach, and Education | USDA NRCS MO MULTI 23 NOFO0001249

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 23 NOFO0001249

The Missouri Conservation Partnership, Outreach, and Education opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Missouri. It is designed to fund partnerships that expand conservation outreach, education, training, and technical capacity across the state, with the broader goal of increasing adoption of NRCS-supported conservation practices and improving natural resource outcomes. The notice was released in advance of final FY2023 funding decisions, meaning the final amount available could be affected by federal appropriations or continuing resolutions. NRCS notes up front that proposals will be reviewed for completeness and compliance, that incomplete or noncompliant submissions will be removed from consideration, and that the Missouri State Conservationist may choose not to fund some or all applications.

Projects must align with at least one of five focus areas. The first focuses on Farm Bill outreach through workshops, conferences, and/or virtual learning events, specifically aimed at Historically Underserved (HU) agricultural producers. NRCS is looking for projects that increase awareness of NRCS programs and strengthen relationships between NRCS, conservation partners, and HU producers, including veterans, minority producers, and limited-resource landowners and producers. Proposals under this track are expected to be clearly targeted and to cover timely agricultural topics that matter to underserved communities, with the practical intent of increasing HU participation in USDA-NRCS conservation programs.

The second focus area supports technical workshops and/or field days centered on three emphasis themes: adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) mitigation activities, native plants and native plant communities, and urban agriculture initiatives and awareness. These projects are meant to create hands-on learning and training opportunities for NRCS and partner conservation planners and/or Missouri producers who are installing, have installed, or are considering conservation practices and want more in-depth education. Suggested topics include climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience; soil health strategies in cropping systems and grazing/pasture systems; native plant establishment and management; rotational grazing and forage stockpiling; nutrient management on cropland and pasture; wildlife habitat benefits tied to soil health and native plant communities; and urban agriculture production and education. Applicants are expected to show they can convene relevant agriculture science and technology expertise and translate that knowledge into useful demonstrations or trainings for producers and other stakeholders.

The third focus area targets water quality improvement and erosion reduction through workshops addressing drainage water management, sheet and rill erosion, and/or gully erosion. NRCS is aiming to increase producer understanding and adoption of drainage water management and other intensive water management practices. The notice highlights outcomes like reduced input costs and energy use, along with reduced nitrogen loading to surface waters through controlled release timing. These systems are positioned as contributing to lower nutrient loading within the Mississippi River Basin project area, so proposals should be organized around coordinated, producer-facing workshops that directly support those education and adoption goals.

The fourth focus area supports work to enhance or expand climate data tools. This is framed as technical assistance that improves how precipitation, drought, and related weather events that affect Missouri agriculture are identified, communicated, and assessed. NRCS signals particular interest in projects that improve understanding of extreme precipitation events and their impacts, which can support better planning and risk management for producers and conservation partners.

The fifth focus area supports organic and specialty crop workshops and/or field days. These projects should provide learning opportunities for NRCS conservation planners and partner staff and/or Missouri producers who are using or considering organic systems or transitioning to organic production. The scope includes vegetables, fruits, specialty crops, berries, produce, and other non-traditional production approaches in Missouri. The notice gives examples such as educating producers on organic techniques, labeling, marketing, and the benefits of organic production; supporting field-to-market efforts; and encouraging market development and distribution through farmers markets and food hub aggregation to strengthen rural economic development. Proposals can also emphasize technical assistance, research and technology transfer, and broader public awareness of sustainable practices tied to organic and specialty crop systems.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility includes state governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (with the nonprofit categories specifically excluding institutions of higher education). The funding instrument is a grant, the program is listed under CFDA 10.902, and the opportunity is categorized under agriculture, environment, and natural resources. The posted award ceiling is $250,000, and NRCS anticipated making around 10 awards.

Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 1, 2023 (opportunity number USDA NRCS MO MULTI 23 NOFO0001249). NRCS emphasized that Grants.gov account or system issues must be handled through Grants.gov support rather than agency staff, while questions about the notice itself should be limited to clarifications tied to the published NFO content (for example, dates or discrepancies), not pre-review feedback on eligibility or proposal quality. NRCS projected selections by May 15, 2023 and award execution by September 15, 2023, while noting both are estimates that could change. A pre-application webinar was scheduled for April 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm Central, with participation details available through Missouri NRCS contacts Brad McCord or Amanda Zapien and additional information posted to the Missouri NRCS website.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Missouri Conservation Partnership, Outreach, and Education" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 14, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 01, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 23 NOFO0001249

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