Farmer grants to protect waterways

GULFPORT, Miss. - The federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Gulf of Mexico Division announced Sept. 1 the availability of grant funding to improve water quality, habitat, resilience and environmental education through the demonstration of innovative practices on working lands. The project is designed to support farmer-led or farm focused organizations in the Gulf of Mexico watershed within the U.S. The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is about $10M. “EPA encourages innovative approaches that protect US waterways from non-point source pollution,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker. “Farmer to Farmer project grants allow recipients to incorporate best practices and techniques that provide meaningful assistance in protecting the Gulf of Mexico watershed.” Farmer to Farmer grants help them develop ways to manage water runoff and protect and improve water quality in the Gulf. Under the grant program, proposals will carry out project activities using one or more of the following methods – surveys, studies, research, investigation, experimentation, education, training, and/or demonstrations. The proposed project location(s) and activities should be consistent with state nutrient reduction strategies and/or other regional resource management documents. The proposed project location(s) must also be in the Gulf of Mexico watershed. Eligible applicants include state agencies, federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia, any agency or instrumentality of local governments, nonprofit organizations, interstate agencies, and colleges and universities. EPA anticipates awarding seven to twelve assistance agreements from this announcement. Awards will range from approximately $250,000 to $1,000,000 with a typical project period of three years. The GoM Division is a non-regulatory program to facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the region. (Source: EPA 09/01/20)