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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Climate Smart Grant Applications due May 24, 2024

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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Climate Smart Grant applications due May 24, 2024

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR FY2024 CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM IN CONNECTICUT
CIG tractor in a field

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Connecticut has announced the availability of funding for FY2024 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). This funding opportunity seeks to spark the Climate Smart development and adoption of cutting-edge conservation technologies and approaches for farmers and landowners.

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 24, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this Notice of Funding (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Connecticut State CIG website to learn more about the CIG program. This grant is being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Environmental Incentives Quality Program. Through this funding, NRCS seeks to benefit the climate by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the producer by providing innovative assistance to improve their farm, urban operation or forest land.

For new users of Grants.gov, while an account is not required to download an NFO and related documents, it is required to submit an application. If your organization has never submitted an application via Grants.gov, please be aware there are several steps you must take to register. Visit the registering an organization section. Completing these steps can take a significant amount of time, so plan accordingly.

SUMMARY INFORMATION:

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 – Connecticut

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-CT-CIG-24-NOFO0001403

Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listing numbers (previously referred to as the Catalog of Federal Financial Assistance (CFDA)) on Sam.gov under 10.912, Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the federal government’s trading partners in support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes.

NRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) state program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the State of Connecticut. A total of up to $500,000 is available for the Connecticut CIG competition in FY2024. All non-federal entities and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY2024 is $250,000.

Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) Ignite Grants due March 14, 2024

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Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) Ignite Grants due March 14, 2024

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is excited to announce the next round of our Ignite Grant Program, which will open February 1, 2024! The deadline to apply is March 14, 2024. The application will also be offered in Spanish.

Formerly known as the Equity Match Grant, Ignite is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million.  Since the start of the program, we have distributed 276 grants of over $2.5 million to women-owned businesses in Connecticut.

For additional information and more details on the program, please visit our website.

Businesses must:

  • be at least 51% woman-owned
  • have been established for at least two years
  • have a record of annual sales/revenue in the last 12 months greater than $25,000 and less than $2,000,000
  • be headquartered in CT, registered in the state of CT, and owned by a CT resident
  • be owned by a woman at least 18 years old
  • be in good standing with the CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS)
  • have an established business checking account
  • utilize a formal, digital bookkeeping/financial system (e.g., QuickBooks)
  • be a for-profit business
  • Have invested at least $2,500 into the business in the last 12 months (unless business is located in a distressed municipality)
Information Sessions:
  • Wednesday, February 7, 11am-12pm
  • Monday, February 12, 5:30-6:30pm
  • Wednesday, February 21, 5-6pm
  • Thursday, February 29, 1-2pm
  • Wednesday, March 6, 10-11am
For more information on the application process, or to register for an upcoming information session, click here.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Applications due April 10

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Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Applications due April 10

Resilient Food Systems Grant opportunity- applications due April 10.
Awards from $100,000 to $250,000
Match Requirement: 50%, or 25% for qualifying applicants
Projects must benefit more than one producer or organization.
Please go to : https://portal.ct.gov/…/Resilient-Food…/Eligibility for more information including a list of eligible applicants and the complete grant guidance document. Deadline to apply is April 10, 2024. For any questions reach out to Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov or 860-895-3094.

2024 CT Farm Manager Annual Meetup March 11, New Haven

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2024 CT Farm Manager Annual Meetup March 11, New Haven

 

 

2024 FARMERS MARKET MANAGER ANNUAL MEET UP

Join the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for the annual CT Farmers Market Manager Meet Up on March 11, 2024, at Jones Auditorium in New Haven. This event is required for all Certified CT-grown market managers and is highly recommended for all CT farmers market managers.

There will be discussions on the upcoming 2024 market season, effective market marketing strategies, licensing procedures, a recap of the 2023 launch of eS/FMNP and new items for S/FMNP for 2024, and invaluable networking opportunities with peers. Don’t miss out on this essential gathering to enhance your market management skills and community connections. View the full agenda and secure your spot by completing registration by Thursday, March 7.

If you have questions about the meeting please contact Erin.Windham@ct.gov or Allison.Hughes@ct.gov.

View Agenda here.
Register here.

 

Steep Rock Association Virtual Speaker 2024 Series Feb 22: Land Conservation 101: The Why and How of Preserving your Property

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Steep Rock Association Virtual Speaker 2024 Series Feb 22: Land Conservation 101: The Why and How of Preserving your Property

STEEP ROCK ASSOCIATION: VIRTUAL 2024 SPEAKER SERIES

Land Conservation 101: The Why and How of Preserving Your Property

Speakers: Rory Larson, Director of Conservation, Steep Rock Association
When: Thursday, February 22, 2024, 6pm
Where: Zoom. This event is free and open to the public. Registration required.

Dive into the benefits of conserving your land in this engaging seminar. Are you considering the future of your land and its legacy? Are you a first-time conservation easement landowner? Are you interested in land conservation strategies and the benefits to landowners? Join Rory Larson, Steep Rock’s Director of Conservation, and Connie Manes, Director of the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative, for an enlightening presentation on the benefits of land protection, processes of transactions, responsibilities of land trusts, and how local landowner efforts can contribute to conservation across town and state boundaries.

Learn more, or register here.