USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho has announced a second application period for grants to support innovative ideas for conservation strategies and technologies. Conservation Innovation Grants applications for all resource concerns will be considered by Idaho. These include Rangeland, Wildlife, Soil Health, and any other categories that relate to NRCS conservation priorities. Special consideration for funding will be given to applications that relate to Irrigation Water Management and Source Water Protection/Precision Agriculture. Grant proposals are due July 19, 2019.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices in Idaho and Nebraska are accepting applications for a pilot project that will provide financial assistance to assist landowners in correcting gully erosion through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This pilot project is designed to help producers in controlling ephemeral gully erosion on Highly Erodible Land. Applications received by July 19, 2019, will be considered during this funding cycle.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) under current approved Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects. The approved RCPP projects are as follows: Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative, Improving Working Lands for Monarch Butterflies, Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Improvement Initiative, Rice Stewardship Partnership, Texas Gulf Coast Stream and Wetland Initiative, and the Gulf Coast Water and Wildlife Conservation. Counties where landowners are eligible to apply for each project are listed online. This conservation funding is above and beyond regular county funding under the Farm Bill for specific conservation work in the listed counties. The application deadline for the current round of funding is July 22, 2019.

The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Program is designed to establish a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs. USDA is accepting applications from collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based networks, or partnerships of qualified public and/or private entities, as determined by the Secretary. These collaborations may include Indian tribes, State departments of agriculture, State cooperative extension services, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). More than $1.9 million in total funding is available. Applications are due by July 25, 2019.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals for $12.5 million in national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving that boosts production on farms, ranches, and private forests. All U.S.-based non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. The grants support the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of conservation technologies, practices, and systems and approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption. Grantees must match the CIG investment at least one to one. CIG priorities this year are increasing the pace and scale of conservation adoption, water quantity, pollinator habitat, and urban agriculture. Proposals are due by July 30, 2019.

The Farmer Veteran Coalition is accepting applications from members for scholarships to the 2019 Farmer Veteran Stakeholders Conference, to be held November 17-20, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Scholarship awards go toward hotel lodging, and select members are also eligible for travel expense coverage up to a certain dollar amount. Applications are due by July 31, 2019.

Organizations in the 54 counties where Carolina Farm Credit conducts business may apply for up to $5,000 per year to help in their endeavors to further the future of agriculture and contribute to the agricultural economy in North Carolina. Organizations' values and purpose must align with the Fund's mission. Applications are accepted until July 31, 2019.

USDA is accepting applications for $16 million in available funding to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms, through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program). Eligible 2501 Program applicants include not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and a range of higher education institutions serving African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities. The deadline for applications is August 15, 2019.

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is accepting letters of intent for 2020 grant funding. The program is open to all applicants residing and conducting research in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This year's priority areas for research projects include soil health and weed management, organic pest management, climate change, and social science research on the barriers to organic transition. Submissions must meet one or more of the priority areas outlined in the request. The deadline to submit Letters of Intent is August 16, 2019.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maine has set aside $80,000 in assistance funds to support pollinator conservation in 2020. Applications from Maine landowners are prioritized based on location, benefit to agriculture, and the anticipated benefit of the conservation action. Practices that can be used to support pollinators under this initiative are listed online. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; for funding consideration in FY 2020, apply by August 16, 2019.

USDA is offering $75 million in funding for the eradication and control of feral swine through the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) in a joint effort with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). NRCS will direct up to $33.75 million of the allocated FSCP funds toward partnership efforts to work with landowners in identified pilot projects in select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. Pilot projects will consist broadly of three coordinated components: 1) feral swine removal by APHIS; 2) restoration efforts supported by NRCS; and 3) assistance to producers for feral swine control provided through partnership agreements with non-federal partners. Projects can be one to three years in duration. Applications are due by August 19, 2019.

New York Farm Viability Institute is seeking proposals that will provide direct education to New York dairy farmers and that will deliver near-term economic benefit. The Topic Specific Team model requires educators to identify a common need among farmers in their region and develop a deep-dive curriculum on the topic. Where appropriate, the educational model should include both peer-to-peer discussion-group learning and individual on-farm consultation. Eligible grant applicants include farmer groups, researchers, educators, organizations, agencies, and businesses. Proposals between $15,000 and $45,000 will be accepted. Five to 15 farms should be involved in each proposal, and NYFVI may reimburse up to $3,000 per farm that is enrolled and completes the program. Applications are due by August 26, 2019.

The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) is a statewide public-private financing program that invests in new or expanding grocery stores and other healthy food retail outlets in communities throughout Pennsylvania. The FFFI provides one-time grants and loans to food retailers in order to increase access to healthy, affordable grocery food options and to improve economic opportunities for lower-income, underserved communities in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the state. Applications for financing will be evaluated and approved on a rolling basis while funds remain available.

Virginia's governor has announced that $73 million is available this year to protect water and soil health through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program. The cost-share program is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Virginia's 47 soil and water conservation districts. The cost-share program supports the use of various practices in conservation planning to treat cropland, pastureland, hay land, and forested land. Individuals, partnerships, trusts, and other businesses operating farms in Virginia may qualify for cost-share assistance. Participant caps have been raised to $100,000. Producers can visit their local district office for information and to apply. The program year runs July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.