2023 USDA NRCS California Conservation Contribution Agreements | USDA NRCS CA MULTI 23 NOFO0001282

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS CA MULTI 23 NOFO0001282

The 2023 USDA NRCS California Conservation Contribution Agreements opportunity (NOFO USDA-NRCS-CA-MULTI-23-NOFO0001282) is a discretionary federal funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), aimed at strengthening conservation delivery and climate-smart agriculture outcomes across California. NRCS is seeking proposals from a broad network of conservation, outreach, and technical assistance partners that can help the agency carry out its mission and implement Farm Bill conservation programs more effectively. The opportunity is structured as a contribution agreement mechanism (not a Conservation Cooperative Agreement and not a Conservation Innovation Grant), and applicants are expected to align projects with the NRCS California Strategic Plan priorities while expanding conservation reach across diverse California agricultural and working lands communities.

Funding under this announcement is expected to total up to about $1,000,000 statewide, with individual awards ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 in federal share per agreement. NRCS anticipated making roughly 10 awards. The funding floor and ceiling apply to the total agreement amount rather than being tied to a specific budget period. Selections were projected by June 30, 2023, with awards expected to be executed by August 31, 2023, though the agency noted those dates were estimates and could change.

Project content is centered on improving the resiliency of California agriculture through climate-smart agriculture and targeted work on key resource concerns. NRCS highlights several priority areas that proposals should address, including climate resiliency and drought, plant productivity and forest health, air quality, water quality, water quantity, soil health and soil quality, wildlife habitat, and outreach. While proposals can be designed around multiple resource concerns, NRCS signals that these topics reflect the agency’s current strategic direction in California, and strong applications will clearly connect proposed activities to measurable improvements in these areas.

A major theme of the announcement is practical implementation support for NRCS conservation programs. NRCS places particular emphasis on projects that provide direct technical assistance that helps NRCS staff deliver Farm Bill conservation programs in the field. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is specifically named as an example, and the notice notes that additional emphasis may be given to proposals that increase CSP utilization in California. In other words, applicants that can help land managers understand, apply for, and successfully implement CSP (or otherwise support NRCS capacity to deliver CSP) may be especially competitive, as long as the approach is grounded in on-the-ground conservation outcomes and effective program participation.

The eligible applicant pool is intentionally broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments; other Tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. NRCS also underscores a partnership approach that includes Tribes, urban producers, and partners serving historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. The stated intent is to expand the conservation footprint in all California communities, so proposals that demonstrate credible reach, trusted relationships, and culturally competent outreach and assistance may align well with the program’s stated priorities.

This opportunity is tied to multiple Assistance Listings on SAM.gov, reflecting NRCS’s suite of conservation authorities and programs. The notice references 10.902 Soil and Water Conservation (Conservation Technical Assistance), 10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), 10.924 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), 10.931 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and 10.069 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). While the NOFO is not limited to a single program, applicants are expected to design work that supports NRCS conservation program implementation consistent with these authorities and NRCS’s California priorities.

Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (8:59 pm Pacific Time) on June 4, 2023. The notice emphasizes that Grants.gov technical support is handled by the Grants.gov Applicant Support line and email, and that NRCS staff cannot troubleshoot applicant Grants.gov account issues. For questions about the NOFO itself, applicants were directed to the federal awarding agency contact listed in the NOFO, with the important limitation that the agency would only address questions about the contents of the announcement (such as dates or clarifying inconsistencies), not provide feedback on applicant eligibility interpretations or the strength of a specific proposal concept.

Finally, NRCS flags that this is federal financial assistance subject to standard grants rules and oversight expectations, and it encourages prospective applicants to take the free Grants 101 training available through CFO.gov. That training covers the core areas that often determine whether an award runs smoothly, including the legal framework, assistance mechanisms, Uniform Guidance administrative requirements, cost principles, and risk management and single audit considerations. This is a practical hint from NRCS that well-prepared applicants should be ready not only to deliver conservation outcomes, but also to manage federal funds and compliance requirements in a disciplined way.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2023 USDA NRCS California Conservation Contribution Agreements" 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 May 05, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 04, 2023. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

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