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 591 - 600 of 1760 projects
SD Farm Bureau Federation
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SD
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2014
The project will establish how an agricultural wetland mitigation bank will function and within which agricultural credits can be accounted for and traded.
Somerset County SWCD
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ME
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2014
Demonstrate and quantify the impacts of cover crops and reduced/no-till corn silage systems on soil quality and nutrient management.
South Dakota State University
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SD
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2014
The project will demonstrate the impacts (benefits) of no-till systems on soil surface and hydrological proberties.
Southern Aroostook SWCD
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ME
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2014
Demonstrate how, through the use of multi-species cover crops and companion plantings, conventionally farmed potato soil can rebuild itself as a living ecosystem.
Standard Bioenergy
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NJ
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2014
The Project will build on work already completed by the Project Directors to deliver a facility which will process the raw stall waste into an alternative fuel initially to be used by large
agricultural producers, primarily greenhouses ('end users') for space heating. The main environmental outcomes will be 1) removal of the stall waste as a potential contaminate of water resources and 2) provide a renewable, locally produced source of heating fuel.
agricultural producers, primarily greenhouses ('end users') for space heating. The main environmental outcomes will be 1) removal of the stall waste as a potential contaminate of water resources and 2) provide a renewable, locally produced source of heating fuel.
Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops
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CA
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2014
SISC metrics are a tool to capture and communicate data about the real impacts of improved on-farm stewardship in a way that works for the entire supply chain. Currently, food industry supply chains are not designed to use a tool like this. Communication of this stewardship data, and the benefits created by it, must come into play throughout supply chains in order to
catalyze market forces to reward continually improved conservation practice on the farm level. In this CIG project, SISC proposes to design, implement, and test an innovative model that support appropriate metric use up and down supply chains. Our ultimate goal is to facilitate the use of performance metrics-to make them easier to implement-so they become widely used as tools for continuous improvement, to address and relieve regulatory burdens, and ideally to capture the rewards that markets may deliver for improved conservation practices.
catalyze market forces to reward continually improved conservation practice on the farm level. In this CIG project, SISC proposes to design, implement, and test an innovative model that support appropriate metric use up and down supply chains. Our ultimate goal is to facilitate the use of performance metrics-to make them easier to implement-so they become widely used as tools for continuous improvement, to address and relieve regulatory burdens, and ideally to capture the rewards that markets may deliver for improved conservation practices.
GrassWorks/Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship
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WI
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2014
The retirement of small and mid-sized dairy farmers and barriers to entry for aspiring farmers is resulting in an increase in large confinement dairy operations. These large dairies can alter local rural economies and rely on a less sustainable corn-based feeding system. Managed dairy grazing is an environmentally positive solution that can provide families with a solid income and lead to stronger rural economies. In managed grazing systems, livestock are rotated through paddocks of high quality grasses and legumes that are allowed to rest and regrow. This cost-effective method works with natural biological systems, relying on perennial forages and the productive capacity of soils. It is not only one of the best predictors of success for start-up farms but it also provides mid-career and retiring farmers with more options for investment and farm transition. This project will use an apprenticeship model to train next-generation farmers in managed grazing.
Oklahoma State University
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OK
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2014
Most of the gains made in the adoption soil health promoting practices have been made as a result of incentive programs and efforts to educator producers on the fundamental principles of no-till system-based management. However, the continued adoption of diverse crop rotations and no-till management in the Southern Plains has been limited by various perceived limitations. This project will focus on a bottom up approach in developing an on-farm demonstration program. In order for this approach to be successful, sufficient support for the demonstration of soil health promoting practices must be provided by producers, county educators, conservation district personnel and NRCS district conservationists. Stakeholders will be asked to identify system based management practices that they think will be useful in improving the productivity and economic viability of soil health promoting practices. State extension specialists will then provide technical assistance in the form of protocols that will result in scientifically sound data collection needed to understand the impact of the practices on yield, yield stability, and the economics of the selected practices. State extension specialists will also develop guidelines for Conservation Stewardship Program enhancements for producers willing to participate in on-farm demonstration projects in order to provide further participation incentives.
The Curators of the University of Missouri
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MO
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2014
Producer interest in Cover Crops has exploded over the past few years but cover crop acreage is still relatively low. Of the 250 million crop acres in the Mississippi River Basin states, it is estimated that only about 1.5 million of those acres are planted in Cover Crops. This project will demonstrate the soil health benefits, pollinator diversity and improved wildlife Habitat that results from utilizing Cover Crops and evaluate the economic benefits and values that accrue from implementing these practices. Additional objectives include demonstrating and comparing pollinator species richness and use of Cover Crops to that of field borders composed of native forbs and legumes throughout the growing season. Outreach, educational activities and publications for EQIP eligible landowners will be developed that promote the use of Cover Crops and field borders for agronomic, ecological and economic benefits.
University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
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VT
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2014
Although the integration of row crops into cropping systems has increased productivity and efficiency, lack of rotation out of annual crops has led to a number of potentially detrimental economic and environmental consequences, ranging from increased use of pesticides, increased cost of production, decreased yields, rapid erosion of topsoil and reduced soil health. Cover cropping can have a tremendous impact on water quality and environmental quality as a whole. However, in northern regions, row crops are harvested too late to establish many of the cover crop species. Interestingly, all cover crop mixtures developed for the Northeast (PA, western NY) are not suitable for more northern regions such as VT, ME and eastern NY. Mixtures of cover crop species for the far north need to be developed and deployed. Interseeding in mid- to late summer might establish a diverse cover crop mixture in northern regions by allowing the cover crop species more time to establish and grow prior to winter months. This project will develop, evaluate and verify innovative cover cropping strategies such as cover crop mixtures, interseeding techniques, and seeding rate guidelines that will help maintain and improve soil productivity in Northern regions.