At a farm in Moline, Illinois Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of $15.7 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs) to 47 organizations in 36 states, funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Among the grant recipients, the National Corn Growers Association will receive almost $1 million to promote soil management practices aimed at improving productivity, profitability and environmental outcomes in seven states. The National Association of Conservation Districts will receive $750,000 to fund a project to significantly increase the number of farmed acres nationwide (including Illinois) that are successfully managed for soil health. Other organizations, tribes and academic institutions will receive funding for conservation projects.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) chief Jason Weller held a press conference Monday to talk about the new grants: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/usda/usda-14-nrcs-pressconf.mp3″ text=”Press Conference with Jason Weller, USDA NRCS”]