TN FY2022 Collaborative Outreach and Education

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2022. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the availability of funding for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to encourage collaboration with partners in providing farm bill program outreach and education to historically underserved groups. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of beginning farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers and ranchers, collectively referred to as “historically underserved producers.” Additional information is available here: Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers. The overall intent of this solicitation is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities outlined in this announcement.  

Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities for projects located in Tennessee. NRCS anticipates the total amount awarded under this announcement in Federal fiscal year 2022 will be approximately $300,000.00. Proposals are requested from eligible entities for competitive consideration of agreement awards for projects between one (1) to three (3) years in duration. Entity types that may be eligible under these criteria include the following: 

• City or township governments

• County governments

• For profit organizations other than small businesses

• Independent school districts

• 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

• Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education

• Small businesses

• Special district governments

• State governments

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. 

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 16, 2022. 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. 

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.) Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal, will not be addressed.  

The agency anticipates making selections by June 15, 2022 and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.