NACD Announces $15 Million in 2022 Technical Assistance Grants

Today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the award of $15 million in new technical assistance grants as continued funding to nearly 500 conservation districts in 49 states and territories.

The Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Program is in its fifth year and is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This program allows NACD to accelerate on-the-ground conservation by increasing the capacity available to conduct outreach and deliver technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest stewards across the U.S.

Grant funding will support over 490 positions including technicians, conservation planners, program support specialists and technical specialists. All these employees will provide conservation technical assistance to help customers carry out their conservation plans.

“Conservation districts are dedicated to getting conservation on the ground, but their offices can be understaffed for the local needs,” NACD CEO Jeremy Peters said. “State leaders directed funding to their highest priorities, helping ensure that every client who comes into the office receives the service they need and deserve.”

Over the life of NACD’s Technical Assistance Grant Program, grantees have delivered services in 50 states and three territories. Since the inception of this programs, districts have awarded over 30,000 Farm Bill conservation contracts and assisted with over 55,000 additional EQIP contracts. Their work has benefitted over 2.5 million acres. Outcomes include improved soil health, forest and woodland conditions, wildlife habitat, and water quality. This enables continued production of food and fiber in a manner that protects the environment while maintaining or improving the net returns to the producer.