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 631 - 640 of 1760 projects
Montana State University
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MT
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2014
Greater sage-grouse populations have been in decline in the western U.S. since the 1950s. Many factors have been highlighted as explanations of sage-grouse declines with chick and brood survival being directly linked to annual recruitment; however, the specifics of these vital rates are a poorly understood component of sage-grouse ecology. Much research has been conducted on the selection criteria used by female sage-grouse when choosing a brood site and the results have provided a foundation for land management considerations aimed at improving sage-grouse Habitat and ultimately recruitment of chicks. However, the criteria that female sage-grouse use for Habitat selection may not provide insight into the relationship between the site resources and chick and brood survival. The mechanisms which influence daily chick and brood survival need to be better understood and these data should be used to establish a prerequisite program which implements Habitat management strategies that affect annual recruitment and, ultimately, sage-grouse conservation. One thing which is known to positively drive chick and brood survival is the abundance of arthropods (insets, spiders, etc.) near brooding locations. Another component of chick and brood survival is the distribution of West Nile virus, a deadly infection transmitted to sage-grouse by mosquitos. Populations of pollinators (bees, butterflies, moths, etc.) have also been in decline in recent years. On rangelands, pollinators are a key component and provide essential services to the plant communities on which sage-grouse and their food arthropods depend. The project team’s ongoing research shows that both food arthropods and pollinators benefit from the same land management practices. Specifically, the Sage-Grouse Initiative rest rotation cattle grazing program not only increases the abundance of food arthropods but that it also increases the abundance of pollinators in years with near normal precipitation. Other current research indicates that sage-grouse nest success is also higher in pastures enrolled in the Sage-Grouse Initiative. Ultimately, the some linkages are becoming clear in that sage-grouse, food arthropods and pollinators are dependent on similar Habitat qualities. This project will further evaluate and demonstrate the benefits of rest rotation cattle grazing by developing metrics which land managers can use to assess food arthropod and pollinator Habitat quality based on the vegetation diversity and structure. The distributions of vectors of West Nile virus based on the rest rotation grazing program will also be evaluated. These factors will be incorporated into land management practices which will also help keep ranches profitable and native landscapes, on which rangeland species depend, intact for future generations.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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FL
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2014
Florida’s 47,500 farms produce nearly 300 different commodities on more than 9 million acres of land and employ 2 million people, contributing over $104 billion to the state’s economy each year. Energy expenditures account for 6.5 percent of Florida farms’ operating expenses, and nearly $375 million annually. This project will establish the Farm Renewable and Efficiency Demonstration program, which will create Mobile Energy Labs (MELs) that conduct on-site evaluations of the potential for Energy efficiency and renewable Energy upgrades on individual farms. After participating in an evaluation, farmers will be eligible for grants for the implementation of MEL recommendations. Emphasis will be placed on conducting outreach and technical assistance with historically underserved producers. Finally, a study will be completed on the effectiveness of the program, and the future Energy needs of agricultural producers in Florida. Reduction of Energy usage will result in not only monetary savings for farmers, but significant environmental benefits.
West Virginia Conservation Agency
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WV
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2014
Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient and a significant source of water quality impairment. The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary impaired with excess nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment. This project will develop a series of demonstration plots and education and outreach opportunities to elevate producer participation in no-till, cover cropping and environmental stewardship programs. The focus will be on intercropping legumes with com as an in season cover crop (living mulch). A successful demonstration of the concept is the first step to implementation. These demonstration plots will serve as living examples of the power of cover cropping and conservation. To highlight the benefit of these innovative techniques, state of the art soil testing technologies will be used to monitor soil quality and nutrient status. The data coupled with real demonstration plots for producers to examine will lay the groundwork for the next generation of best management practice development and innovation. The lessons learned from these demonstration plots will be used to develop new West Virginia Best Management Practices and set the stage for a brighter more environmentally sound future for agriculture.
National Association of Conservation Districts
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DC
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2014
A body of research shows the benefits of practices such as strip/no-till, cover cropping and crop rotation. Some of these practices can be successful under certain soil and climate conditions, but not in others. More information is needed on what works well and under what conditions. Also, detailed economic and cost-benefit information is needed. This project will overcome barriers and significantly increase the number of farmed acres nationwide that are successfully managed for soil health, appropriate to local conditions.
Winneshiek Energy District
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IA
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2014
Winneshiek Energy District has built its local model of Energy planning on the conservation planning process of locally-led Soil and Water Conservation District/NRCS partnership. In the Energy industry, unfortunately, Energy audits have become the norm, and financial assistance expected. Audits, however, are typically a program-driven product that rarely creates change, while locally-led Energy planning is a customer-driven process with high success rates even without financial assistance. Like conservation planning, Energy planning takes a strong local partnership to create the acceptance and critical mass necessary for widespread adoption. The Energy District will establish an agricultural Energy planning program and regional mobilization initiative with partners including the SWCDs, NRCS, ISU Extension, producer groups, utilities and more. This project will build a locally-led Energy planning model, demonstrate implementation success through Energy planning leading to completion of at least 30 projects – 20 including renewable Energy systems – and develop tools and conduct technology transfer and replication activities together with NRCS.
North Carolina Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation, Inc.
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NC
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2014
Quantifiable impacts of multi-species Cover Crops need to be determined to promote rapid information transfer from county level demonstrations to producers throughout the mountains, piedmont and coastal plain areas of North Carolina. These demonstrations will broaden adoption of appropriate multi-species cover cropping and build soil health for a more sustainable agriculture across the Southeastern region. The project will quantify short term-changes in soil chemical, physical and biological properties as a result of using multi-species Cover Crops in various no-till and reduced till production systems across the three physiographic regions of the state. These short term changes in soil properties will be related to broader concerns for nutrient cycling, overcoming soil water limitations and improved crop yield and growth. Project results will include recommendations for refining best management practices for multi-species Cover Crops in production systems common to the Southeast.
B.F. Smith Foundation - Delta F.A.R.M.
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MS
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2014
A true understanding of soil health is lacking among the majority of Mississippi row-crop producers. In part, this is due to supporting practices (e.g. Cover Crops and no-till) being locally researched and utilized as stand-alone practices, not as a system to improve soil health. For producers to truly understand soil health and the system of management practices to be adopted, they must gain firsthand knowledge and experience of soil health systems as they are successfully applied on local farms. To develop a true understanding of soil health, producers must first be personally and socially motivated to learn with an open and growth oriented mindset. This desire to learn must then be supported by local experience and knowledge that demonstrates how soil health systems are implemented successfully. This project will demonstrate and field test soil health systems on 12 farms and 2,400 acres. Demonstrated soil health systems will be evaluated for improvements in soil and water quality using traditional and innovate methods. Production data associated with demonstrated systems will be tracked using an online platform to facilitate aggregated data analysis. Economic analysis will provide insight as to the profitability of soil health systems and will incorporated into enterprise budgets. An e-based toolbox will be developed to host all information and guidance developed through the project and serve as hub for connecting local producers to existing information and tools.
University of Hawaii
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HI
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2014
Leguminous Cover Crops can contribute significant amount of nitrogen to crop production. However, farmers need a better tool to accurately estimate the nitrogen contribution from legumes so as to precisely reduce fertilizer rates. A simple calculator to address this issue was developed for Idaho and Oregon with high success rate. This project will expand on this proven technology and modify it for tropical climates and soil types in the Pacific Islands. To make the calculator more precise, variation of nutrient availability when the leguminous Cover Crops were mixed with graminaceous Cover Crops or followed by till or no-till cropping systems will also be taken into consideration. The overall goal of this project is to increase the incentive for farmers in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands to adopt cover cropping into their farming systems.
Holmes County Food Hub
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MS
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2014
Production, conservation and marketing are all critical components of sustainable and profitable agricultural operations in Mississippi. Small-scale, historically underserved farmers are usually the last to adopt technological improvements and take advantage of opportunities to encourage new and enhance existing farm operations. This project will introduce innovative conservation technologies that encourage new and assist existing limited resource farm operations in west and central Mississippi. The project is intended to enhance the sustainability and profitability of historically underserved farm operations by integrating conservation technology such as plasticulture and subsurface irrigation with improved marketing strategies.
Arkansas Land & Farm Development Corporation/Arkansas Land & Community Development Corporation
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AR
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2014
Efforts to engage minority and limited resource farmers in conservation efforts often face unique challenges. These landowners and farm operators tend to be older and operate smaller farms with restricted earning capacity. These operators are often less aware of technical assistance opportunities and technical information on new developments, and they often have limited financial ability to invest in new practices that may have conservation benefits. To help surmount these challenges, this project aims to demonstrate the use of a case management model to design and deliver conservation services to enrolled participants. Under this model, the regional Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation Field Agent and farmer participants will assess current on-site operations and conditions and identify opportunities and priorities for improved resource conservation practices. Staff can then assist the farmer in developing and obtaining the needed management skills training as well as the required technical and financial resources to plan and implement identified actions. The project aims to help 300 limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers and landowners develop and adopt a plan to conserve soil and water resources and to reduce, control and trap nutrient runoff.