Conservation Innovation Grants; trucking and agriculture
Washington Ag Today May 19, 2010 USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the availability of state-level Conservation Innovation Grants for 2010. The grants foster innovative natural resource conservation approaches and investments related to agricultural production in Washington. The deadline to apply is June 30th. Through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program the NRCS may pay the cost of competitive grants up to 150-thousand dollars during fiscal year 2010 for the state of Washington. Eligible entities and individuals are limited to grants of 50-thousand dollars each. Last year’s grants provided funding to assist farmers with access to conservation or environmental models; implement a carbon credit program for small forest landowners and implemented an environmental stewardship certification program. Applications are available at www.grants.gov A recent study on the transportation system by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service emphasizes the importance of trucking to agriculture. Bruce Blanton of the AMS explains. Blanton: “Trucks provide vital flexibility to agriculture. Trucks carry 70% of agricultural tonnage and are frequently the first and last move in the supply chain so highway funding is critical for agriculture.” That study also found a decrease in rail competition and the need for better funding to maintain inland waterways for barge shipments. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net. ?
