The USDA is accepting applications for competitive grants to develop and accelerate conservation approaches and technologies on private agricultural and forest lands.

"Conservation Innovation Grants have contributed to some of the most pioneering conservation work on America's agricultural and forest lands," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "It's an excellent investment in new conservation technologies and approaches that farmers, ranchers and forest landowners can use to achieve their production and conservation goals."

$15 million in grants are open to public and private entities

About $15 million will be made available nationwide by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. State and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, non-governmental and educational organizations, private businesses and individuals are eligible to apply.

Vilsack said priority will be given to applications that relate to nutrient management, energy conservation, soil health, air quality, climate change, wildlife, economics, sociology, environmental markets, food safety, historically underserved groups, or assessments of past CIG projects.

In the 10 years that NRCS has administered the program, grants have helped develop water quality trading markets, demonstrated ways to increase fertilizer water and energy efficiencies, as well as address other resource concerns.

The grant program enables NRCS to work with public and private partners to accelerate technology development and adopt promising approaches to address natural resource concerns.

Funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the grants are awarded through a competitive process. At least 50% of the total cost of grant projects must come from non-federal matching funds, including cash and in-kind contributions provided by the grant recipient.

Learn more about the Conservation Innovation grants.