The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $22 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until Sunday, May 26, 2024.
“Privately owned grazing lands cover nearly 30 percent of the national landscape, which means we have a tremendous opportunity to address climate change and conserve natural resources through voluntary, private lands conservation,” said NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. “NRCS enlists a wide variety of conservation practices to help livestock producers. These partnerships will also help us expand the footprint of conservation on grazing lands and could help better reach underserved producers.”
Project proposals for GLCI Cooperative Agreements will identify and address barriers to accessing grazing assistance for producers. These partnerships are encouraged to include outreach and support for reaching underserved producers. Projects must address one or more of the following priorities:
Local natural resource concerns. Climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices and principles. Encourage existing and new partnerships through emphasizing equity in advancing the resource needs of underserved communities. Identify and implement strategies to quantify, monitor, report on and verify conservation benefits associated with grazing management systems. Utilize Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge, where applicable.
Through GLCI, NRCS will use partnerships to increase technical assistance for farmers and ranchers engaged in grazing activities. This will increase knowledge and expertise in working with underserved producers to increase their participation in new and existing grazing coalitions. GLCI aims to expand and establish new peer-to-peer networks for grazers and direct financial support for mentors working with new, beginning or transitioning grazers.
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