Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS CA 12 0005
Apply for USDA NRCS CA 12 0005
- The California State Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FARM BILL ASSISTANCE STANISLAUS COUNTY, CA" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 31, 2012 and posted on May 31, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $75,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education City or township governments County governments Special district governments State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office offered this cooperative agreement opportunity to support Farm Bill conservation program delivery in Stanislaus County, California. The purpose is to boost on-the-ground conservation outcomes on private agricultural lands by adding local capacity for technical assistance, administrative coordination, and producer outreach tied to NRCS voluntary programs. The work is centered on helping farmers and ranchers adopt and complete conservation practices that protect and improve soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife, while keeping farms productive and helping participants meet relevant environmental requirements.
The agreement is built around NRCS Farm Bill programs such as EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program), WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program), AWEP (Agricultural Water Enhancement Program), and CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program). In practical terms, the selected partner would help producers understand these programs, navigate applications and eligibility steps, and follow through on contract requirements so conservation practices are actually implemented and properly documented. The emphasis is not only on education and enrollment, but also on accelerating implementation of both new and prior-year contracts and ensuring accurate tracking and completion.
The scope of work is hands-on and field oriented, requiring direct contact with landowners and land managers. Key tasks include outreach and responding to producer questions; assisting NRCS with screening and ranking applications; helping process applications and incoming contracts; and supporting contract technical planning. A major component is conducting field checks tied to payment, where the partner meets with participants to verify installed practices meet NRCS standards and specifications in the Field Office Technical Guide, including taking physical measurements for structural practices and making visual assessments of vegetative practices. Additional responsibilities include providing technical assistance on management practices within existing contracts, collecting and evaluating producer records, completing contract status reviews to keep implementation on schedule, and performing spot checks on CSP-related enhancements. The partner is also expected to engage in outreach and networking to support fair and effective program delivery, including participating in interagency meetings to coordinate conservation efforts across local communities.
NRCS describes a substantial ongoing role for the agency during the project. NRCS staff will be involved in planning and managing the agreement, will provide oversight, and may provide access to agency software, forms, and other resources needed to carry out the work. All services must meet USDA NRCS standards and specifications, meaning the partner needs to be able to operate within NRCS technical and regulatory requirements rather than creating independent standards.
Funding for the current fiscal year had an estimated total of $75,000, with an award ceiling of $75,000 and an award floor of $25,000, and NRCS expected to make one award. The instrument type is a cooperative agreement (not a standard grant), reflecting the shared involvement of NRCS in implementation. The project structure included a one-year base period with up to three one-year options. The performance window described in the notice ran roughly from July 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013. There was no cost share or matching requirement listed.
Eligibility was broad and included individuals, federally recognized tribal governments, small businesses, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and various levels of local and state government (city/township, county, special district, and state governments). Proposals were evaluated using criteria ranked in descending importance: first, organizational capabilities and resources (including staff experience and ability to represent NRCS professionally); second, knowledge of conservation issues specific to Stanislaus County and familiarity with NRCS practice standards; third, demonstrated ability to work effectively with NRCS and local producers; and fourth, knowledge of local and state ordinances and regulations affecting conservation practice implementation in the county. Applicants could be asked to discuss experience and proposed approaches, and NRCS indicated it would negotiate final costs and terms with the selected applicant.
Administrative details included the opportunity number USDA NRCS CA 12 0005, classification as a discretionary opportunity in the natural resources category, CFDA listing 10.912 (EQIP), and original posting and closing dates of May 31, 2012 and June 22, 2012, respectively, with an archive date of July 22, 2012. The contact listed for access issues was Kimberly Pedersen, Grants Management Specialist, at 530-792-5678.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is this USDA NRCS California cooperative agreement opportunity about?
This opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office supports Farm Bill conservation program delivery in Stanislaus County, California. The goal is to increase on-the-ground conservation outcomes on private agricultural lands by adding local capacity for technical assistance, administrative coordination, and producer outreach connected to NRCS voluntary conservation programs.
2. What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to help farmers and ranchers adopt and complete conservation practices that protect and improve soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife while keeping farms productive and helping participants meet relevant environmental requirements. The work emphasizes not only education and enrollment, but also accelerating implementation and ensuring conservation practices are completed and accurately documented.
3. Which geographic area is served?
The work is centered in Stanislaus County, California, with a focus on private agricultural lands and direct engagement with local producers (farmers and ranchers), landowners, and land managers in the county.
4. Which NRCS programs are tied to this agreement?
The agreement is built around NRCS Farm Bill programs, including:
- EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)
- WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program)
- AWEP (Agricultural Water Enhancement Program)
- CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program)
5. What does the selected partner actually do under this agreement?
The selected partner provides hands-on, field-oriented support to help producers understand NRCS programs, navigate application and eligibility steps, and meet contract requirements so conservation practices are implemented and properly documented. The partner supports both new and prior-year contracts, with an emphasis on accelerating implementation and tracking completion accurately.
6. Is this a grant or something else?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement, not a standard grant. A cooperative agreement reflects substantial ongoing involvement by NRCS during the project, including planning, management, and oversight.
7. How involved is NRCS during the project?
NRCS described a substantial ongoing role. NRCS staff will be involved in planning and managing the agreement, providing oversight, and may provide access to NRCS software, forms, and other resources needed to carry out the work.
8. Do services have to follow NRCS standards?
Yes. All services must meet USDA NRCS standards and specifications. The partner is expected to operate within NRCS technical and regulatory requirements rather than creating independent standards.
9. What kinds of outreach and producer support activities are included?
Key activities include producer outreach, responding to producer questions, and helping producers understand NRCS voluntary programs and how to participate. The partner is also expected to engage in outreach and networking to support fair and effective program delivery, including participating in interagency meetings to coordinate conservation efforts across local communities.
10. What application and contract processing support is expected?
The scope includes assisting NRCS with screening and ranking applications, helping process applications and incoming contracts, and supporting contract technical planning to help move agreements from enrollment to implementation.
11. What are "field checks tied to payment" in this opportunity?
A major component is conducting field checks related to payment. The partner meets with participants to verify installed conservation practices meet NRCS standards and specifications in the Field Office Technical Guide. This can include taking physical measurements for structural practices and making visual assessments of vegetative practices.
12. What types of technical assistance are included for existing contracts?
The partner provides technical assistance on management practices within existing contracts, collects and evaluates producer records, completes contract status reviews to keep implementation on schedule, and performs spot checks on CSP-related enhancements.
13. Is the work office-based or field-based?
The work is described as hands-on and field oriented, requiring direct contact with landowners and land managers, including on-site verification of installed practices.
14. How many awards did NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expected to make one award under this opportunity.
15. How much funding was available?
The notice listed an estimated total funding amount of $75,000 for the current fiscal year. The award ceiling was $75,000 and the award floor was $25,000.
16. Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
No cost share or matching requirement was listed in the opportunity notice.
17. What is the project period and structure?
The project structure included a one-year base period with up to three one-year options. The performance window described in the notice ran roughly from July 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013.
18. Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included:
- Individuals
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Small businesses
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions)
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Special district governments
- State governments
19. How were proposals evaluated?
Proposals were evaluated using criteria ranked in descending importance:
- Organizational capabilities and resources (including staff experience and ability to represent NRCS professionally)
- Knowledge of conservation issues specific to Stanislaus County and familiarity with NRCS practice standards
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with NRCS and local producers
- Knowledge of local and state ordinances and regulations affecting conservation practice implementation in the county
20. Could NRCS ask applicants for additional discussion or negotiation?
Yes. Applicants could be asked to discuss experience and proposed approaches. NRCS also indicated it would negotiate final costs and terms with the selected applicant.
21. What is the opportunity number for this announcement?
The opportunity number is USDA NRCS CA 12 0005.
22. What type of opportunity is this classified as?
It was classified as a discretionary opportunity in the natural resources category.
23. What CFDA listing was associated with this opportunity?
The notice referenced CFDA 10.912 (EQIP).
24. What were the posting and closing dates?
The original posting date was May 31, 2012 and the closing date was June 22, 2012. The archive date listed was July 22, 2012.
25. Who is the contact for access issues?
The contact listed for access issues was Kimberly Pedersen, Grants Management Specialist, at 530-792-5678.
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