USDA awards Conservation Innovation Grants
On September 15, USDA Secretary Ann Veneman announced the winners of the first year's funding for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Awards for the new program went to 41 projects in 29 states for a total of $14.25 million. When cost share contributions from non-federal partners are included, the total investment in these projects tops $63 million. The grants will fund the development and adoption of innovative conservation technologies and approaches through pilot projects and field trials. The CIG program is part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Selected from nearly 150 proposals, the funded projects address such issues as agricultural air emissions, water quality improvement, water management, livestock nutrient management and market-based approaches to conservation. Grant recipients include 13 universities, 10 nongovernmental organizations, eight agribusinesses, four state governments, two resource conservation and development councils, two conservation districts and two individuals. The selected proposals receive grants of up to 50% of the total project cost and must provide nonfederal matching funds of at least 50% of the project cost. The list of selected projects and funding awarded is posted on CIG's web site.

SWCS calls for papers for 2005 symposium
The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) has issued a call for papers for the 2005 SWCS Symposium to be held in Rochester, New York July 30-August 4, 2005. The conference will address four key topics in plenary and concurrent sessions, symposia, poster sessions and exhibits. The topics are: 1) Managing landscapes for environmental quality; 2) Assessing and communicating the effectiveness of conservation and environmental programs; 3) The growing debate around water use; and 4) Consumer demand and policy effects on agricultural resources. Details are available online. Abstract submissions are due November 29. Final decisions on acceptance of abstracts will be made by January 8, 2005. SWCS encourages interested individuals to review submission process details on its web site and take part in the 2005 SWCS annual conference. Submission of abstracts online is preferable, but they may also be faxed to 515-289-1227; mailed to the SWCS office (945 SW Ankeny Rd., Ankeny, IA 50021); or e-mailed. For more information, call 515-289-2331.