Project Search
Since its inception in 2004, CIG has funded hundreds of projects, boosting natural resource conservation while helping producers improve the health of their operations for the future. Use this tool to search for CIG projects based on any of the criteria listed below.
CIG projects from 2004-2009 may be missing information in the following categories: Resource Concern (specific), Conservation Practice, Production/Use.
Showing 181 - 190 of 1760 projects
Oklahoma State University
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OK
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2019
Despite technological advances, flood irrigation systems are still in use in many parts of the U.S. According to the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, flood irrigation accounts for 33% of all irrigated lands and 43% of total irrigation water applications in the U.S. However, only 10% of federal financial assistance for irrigation best management practices has been dedicated to flood irrigation. The goal of this project is to evaluate, demonstrate, and transfer innovative technologies that can result in water conservation in flood systems by conducting coordinated extension activities among partners from southern to western U.S. The perception of producers and the sociocultural factors that influence their acceptance of conservation technologies will also be evaluated to increase the likelihood of adoption. The project has four specific objectives: i) to evaluate the social dimensions of adopting conservation technologies; and, to evaluate and transfer effective and affordable conservation technologies and management practices related to ii) water delivery (e.g. canal automation); iii) water use (e.g. sensor-based irrigation scheduling) and iv) water removal (e.g., tailwater recovery and reuse) components of flood systems.
University of Kentucky
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KY
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2019
This project builds off of a previous Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) initiative and will monitor the ecological and economic effects of resource conservation on equine operations that participated in that program, therefore quantifying the impact of the practices from the RCPP project and then determining the transferability of these practices. The project’s objectives are to: 1) Assess the ecological impacts of resource conservation on horse farms, including improved soil and pasture health, control of noxious species, improved nutrient distribution and enhanced grazing management. 2) Quantify the potential monetary savings when improved pasture management is implemented on horse farms, such as allowing farms to spend less on stored feeds and synthetic fertilizers. 3) Determine other benefits of conservation practices: a. Reduced operating costs. b. Improved horse health. c. Improved soil health. 4) Describe these benefits in online and print educational materials that encourage horse farm owners to adopt conservation practices. 5) Conduct field days on project farms to demonstrate to horse farm owners the practicality and value of improved management practices.
University of Rhode Island
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RI
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2019
Through a partnership including the University of Rhode Island, the University of Connecticut, and commercial farmers, this project will monitor soil temperature, moisture, and mineralization of nitrogen and phosphorus from organic matter in established high tunnels on six farms in southern New England. Tunnels will be used for commercial tomato production, with growers following their normal practices. Samples will be collected from the crop root zone year‐round for two years. We will also monitor lateral movement of soil pore water and nutrients across the tunnel perimeter using suction lysimeters and resin capsules at the level of the plow pan. Data will be used to revise soil mineralization models and create a Nutrient Prediction Tool to assist farmers in monitoring inputs, predicting plant available nitrogen and phosphorus, and optimizing inputs to meet production goals while minimizing costs.
University of Maryland
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MD
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2019
This project integrates on-farm field trials with behavioral and experimental economics field research to inform the design of cost-effective programs to increase adoption of in-season nitrogen (N) decision support tools for corn production in Delaware (DE), Maryland (MD), and Pennsylvania (PA). The overall goal of this project is to increase adoption of in-season N decision support tools by grain farmers to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and reduce N losses to the environment. The environmental benefits and economic feasibility of adoption of proven in-season N decision support tools (i.e., dynamic N models and spectral imaging) is evaluated in replicated on-farm small plot and strip trials (years 1 and 2); we will also identify social, economic, and regulatory barriers limiting widespread adoption of these tools.
The Conservation Fund
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NC, SC, WV
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2019
The Conservation Fund, in partnership with McIntosh Sustainable Environment and Economic Development (McIntosh SEED) and the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED), will provide historically underserved producers innovative and individualized training and tools to overcome key challenges to adopting conservation practices (including EQIP practices) and thrive in sustainable agricultural operations. These challenges include: limited connection to and knowledge of their land’s natural resources, barriers to generating sustainable income, and historic limited access to USDA programs and other conservation tools. Through the proposed project, partners will: Provide 320+ producers and landowners with the tools and training to assess their land assets; Promote conservation practices among 320+ socially disadvantaged producers and landowners; Provide targeted technical assistance to 160 landowners and producers to become eligible for USDA EQIP and/or increase overall landowner sustainability through conservation practices and improved agricultural and forestry enterprises: To overcome systemic barriers in accessing USDA and other resources, project partners will provide dedicated individualized assistance to landowners and producers to support landowner-driven, data-informed priorities.
East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District
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CA
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2019
The utilization of soil health management systems is increasingly important for the agricultural industry, especially in California. However, even with an emphasis on soil health practices over the past decade, California still possesses low rates of implementation and adoption of cover cropping, compost application, and other soil beneficial practices. These on-farm trials will demonstrate that conservation practices implemented through the utilization of comprehensive soil heath management systems can aptly address these and a multitude of other issues. Several partners including American Farmland Trust, California Alliance for Family Farms, Project Apism, and other Regional Conservation Districts will make up a well-rounded team with the ability to assess the environmental, economic, and social factors in reference to the implementation and adoption of these conservation practices and comprehensive systems.
Iroquois Valley Farms, LLC
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IL
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2019
Iroquois Valley Farms will accelerate conservation adoption by enabling accredited investors to invest in its 2020 Subordinated Operating Notes (SON). Through this instrument, this project will make available to organic farmers up to $25 million in Working Capital Loans. Objectives include: 1) Regenerative Financial Plans - to provide an effective tool for farm financial and conservation management, to account for and keep track of social impacts, and to develop a tool that will serve industry best practices for a triple-bottom-line organic farming model. 2) Subordinated Operating Notes. Fund this project by structuring, issuing, offering and marketing up to $25 million of SEC qualified securities for subordinated operating Notes, possibly as part of a larger Company offering, thereby positively impact the farming and conservation finance industries by establishing in the marketplace an ongoing and scalable security to fund farmer operations and operating capital. 3) Organic and Conservation Farmer Lines of credit/Operating loans - provide long-term working capital to farmers enabling more growth of organic farming businesses and conservation practices. 4) Integrative Capital Reserve: Share credit risk, catalyzing new investor participation. Develop Subordinated Operating Notes as a new financial instrument that is underwritten to require increased conservation practices.
American Forest Foundation
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PA, VA, WV
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2019
The Family Forest Carbon Program is a partnership between the American Forest Foundation(AFF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) that seeks to create innovative solutions to two related challenges: 1) How to engage a large portion of America’s 22 million family forest owners in globally significant climate change mitigation; 2) How to accelerate the adoption of other conservation practices among family woodland owners in the U.S. The Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) reimagines carbon accounting in a way that makes it possible to incentivize landowners at scale. Rather than basing payments on inventories of carbon, the program incentivizes specific forest management practices which have been scientifically demonstrated to enhance carbon sequestration. The implementation of these practices across a known acreage will result in sequestration reportable in tons.
Greenprint Partners
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MO, PA
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2019
Perennial Farming Initiative
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CA
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2019
In 2017, the State of California established a Healthy Soils Program (HSP), funded by the state’s Cap-and-Trade proceeds and intended to incentivize healthy soil on agricultural land by providing “financial incentives to California growers and ranchers to implement conservation management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs), and improve soil health.” Given the potential for healthy soil to help California withstand fire, drought, and other climate-related challenges, together with the state’s pledge to reach carbon
neutrality by 2045, HSP Incentives were deemed necessary to promote implementation of
carbon-capturing NRCS conservation practices. Funding for California’s Healthy Soils Program
has risen steadily, from $7,500,000 in its first year to $28,000,000 in the most recent state budget
(FY 2019-20), reflecting the success of the program and the soil health movement’s still-unmet
resource needs. The proposed project would overcome these adverse market and policy conditions causing environmental externalization by establishing a public/private program that will engage consumers in funding the implementation of climate friendly agricultural practices on an ongoing basis. The two-year goal of this proposal is to design and launch a pilot program in California, with the medium-term goal of expanding the program to additional states, cities and sectors of the food economy, and a long-term goal of normalizing a national cultural practice of small-scale consumer investments in healthy soil through food purchases.
neutrality by 2045, HSP Incentives were deemed necessary to promote implementation of
carbon-capturing NRCS conservation practices. Funding for California’s Healthy Soils Program
has risen steadily, from $7,500,000 in its first year to $28,000,000 in the most recent state budget
(FY 2019-20), reflecting the success of the program and the soil health movement’s still-unmet
resource needs. The proposed project would overcome these adverse market and policy conditions causing environmental externalization by establishing a public/private program that will engage consumers in funding the implementation of climate friendly agricultural practices on an ongoing basis. The two-year goal of this proposal is to design and launch a pilot program in California, with the medium-term goal of expanding the program to additional states, cities and sectors of the food economy, and a long-term goal of normalizing a national cultural practice of small-scale consumer investments in healthy soil through food purchases.