TN FY2021 Collaborative Outreach for Natural Resources Conservation | USDA NRCS TN MULTI 21 NOFO0001087

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS TN MULTI 21 NOFO0001087

The TN FY2021 Collaborative Outreach for Natural Resources Conservation grant is a discretionary funding opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) focused on expanding conservation and Farm Bill program outreach in Tennessee. The core purpose is to leverage NRCS resources by partnering with external organizations that can help reach and serve historically underserved producers. In this announcement, historically underserved producers are defined in line with the 2018 Farm Bill and include beginning farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers and ranchers. The emphasis is on improving awareness, access, and participation in NRCS conservation programs among groups that have historically faced barriers to information, technical assistance, or program enrollment.

NRCS is seeking partnership proposals that strengthen and enhance the agency's conservation outreach objectives and priorities described in the notice of funding opportunity. While the announcement centers on outreach, the broader conservation goal is to help more producers understand available NRCS tools and Farm Bill assistance and then successfully connect them to appropriate conservation programs and services. Projects must be located in Tennessee, and proposals are competitively reviewed for award.

Funding for the Tennessee competition in federal fiscal year 2021 is expected to total about $100,000 across all selected projects. NRCS anticipates making approximately six awards, with an award ceiling of $25,000 per grant. Project periods may range from one to three years, allowing applicants to propose either shorter, campaign-style outreach efforts or multi-year engagement strategies that build sustained relationships with underserved communities and producers.

A wide range of applicant types are eligible, reflecting NRCS's goal of working with organizations that already have trusted networks and on-the-ground presence. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other Native American tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations (both those with 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories). This structure is designed to accommodate public agencies, universities, tribal entities, and community-based organizations that can credibly deliver outreach and engagement to target audiences.

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, with a deadline of 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 7, 2021. The announcement also set a question deadline of May 5, 2021, after which NRCS planned to post responses to submitted questions on Grants.gov roughly two weeks before the application due date. Applicants needing help with Grants.gov were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support (phone and email provided), with the reminder that NRCS program staff cannot assist with Grants.gov account or technical issues. NRCS expected to announce selections by June 30, 2021 and to execute awards by September 15, 2021.

For reference and tracking, the opportunity is listed as "TN FY2021 Collaborative Outreach for Natural Resources Conservation" under Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS TN MULTI 21 NOFO0001087, with CFDA (now commonly referred to under assistance listings) number 10.902. The funding activity area spans agriculture, environment, and natural resources, aligning the outreach focus with NRCS's broader conservation mission and the Farm Bill framework.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "TN FY2021 Collaborative Outreach for Natural Resources Conservation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 06, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 07, 2021 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA NRCS TN MULTI 21 NOFO0001087

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