CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials
Newly authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials support more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices and systems on working lands. On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches.
The Soil Health Demo Trial (SHD) component of On-Farm Trials focuses exclusively on implementation of conservation practices and systems that improve soil health. Eligible entities receiving SHD awards agree to follow consistent soil health assessment protocols to evaluate the impacts of practice and system implementation. The NRCS Soil Health Technical Note on Recommended Soil Health Indicators and Associated Laboratory Procedures provides applicants with an idea of the types of soil health indicators and assessments they will be expected to use for SHD projects.
Up to $25 million annually is available for On-Farm Trials. Funding goes directly to partners, which in turn provide technical assistance and incentive payments to producers to implement innovative approaches on their lands. Producers receiving On-Farm Trials payments must be eligible to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The maximum On-Farm Trials award for 2019 is $5 million. The minimum award is $250,000.
Who Is Eligible
On-Farm Trials are open to private entities whose primary business is related to agriculture, non-governmental organizations with experience working with agricultural producers, and non-Federal government agencies.
More Information
On-Farm Trials FAQs (PDF)
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