Mississippi Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) | USDA NRCS MS CTA 17 01

FAQs: Mississippi Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Cooperative Agreement (USDA NRCS)

What is the Mississippi Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) opportunity?

The Mississippi CTA opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cooperative agreement program designed to expand conservation participation and build long-term capacity among Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippi. The focus is on increasing awareness of, access to, and enrollment in USDA conservation programs and practices, while strengthening the practical skills and resources producers need to remain economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

What is the main goal of this opportunity?

The central goal is to increase awareness, access, and enrollment in NRCS and broader USDA conservation programs and practices, especially for Historically Underserved producers. The program also aims to build skills that help producers participate successfully over time, not just once.

Who is considered "Historically Underserved" under this opportunity?

In this opportunity, "Historically Underserved" is explicitly framed to include beginning farmers, limited resource producers, socially disadvantaged landowners, and veterans. The emphasis is on helping these groups navigate and successfully use NRCS and broader USDA programs.

What kinds of activities are projects expected to deliver?

Projects are expected to combine outreach with hands-on technical assistance. The opportunity stresses that funded work should go beyond sharing information and should actively help underserved producers build the knowledge and confidence needed to participate in conservation and production-related processes.

Does the program support outreach only, or is technical assistance required?

The program theme is outreach paired with hands-on technical assistance. The description emphasizes that projects should do more than provide information by actively supporting producers through real steps involved in program participation and conservation adoption.

What barriers to participation does the opportunity specifically mention?

The opportunity highlights education and support in areas that commonly block participation, including risk management, computer literacy, financial literacy, and understanding legislative or program processes that affect agriculture and conservation.

What are examples of eligible project approaches mentioned in the description?

Examples mentioned include workshops, one-on-one application assistance, field demonstrations, and other structured support that helps farmers and landowners identify relevant NRCS programs, meet eligibility requirements, complete paperwork, adopt conservation practices, and maintain compliance over time.

Is the program focused only on conservation outcomes, or also on economic outcomes?

Both. The opportunity stresses economic outcomes alongside conservation benefits. NRCS indicates these cooperative agreements should help create or increase revenue for targeted producers, linking conservation participation to improved resilience, reduced risk, and improved operational or market outcomes.

How does the opportunity describe long-term impact for producers?

The language points toward building self-sufficiency by providing skills tied to crop production and farm management. The goal is to help participants move from initial engagement to sustained, independent participation in conservation systems and USDA assistance programs.

Where in Mississippi is the program focused?

The primary focus is on Mississippi's 66 StrikeForce Counties, which are typically prioritized due to persistent poverty and higher need for coordinated federal support. The program notes the focus is "but not limited to" these counties, but applicants are clearly expected to concentrate effort where NRCS is seeking greater participation and deeper engagement.

Are projects required to work only in the 66 StrikeForce Counties?

The notice indicates a focus on the 66 StrikeForce Counties, but also states "but not limited to" those counties. Even with that flexibility, the description signals that proposals are expected to concentrate effort in the areas NRCS is prioritizing for expanded service and engagement.

What types of results or outcomes should projects be prepared to document?

Proposals should anticipate being judged in part on their ability to document results, since the description calls for reporting on outcomes achieved. The program narrative suggests tracking items such as enrollment in NRCS programs, adoption of conservation practices, capacity gains (for example, computer literacy or financial literacy improvements), and tangible outcomes for participating producers and landowners.

Does the opportunity allow research or pilot-type work?

Yes. The scope can include case studies, scientific research elements, and pilot agricultural community projects, including efforts relevant to rural and semi-rural communities, as long as they credibly support conservation adoption and producer capacity.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

This is a cooperative agreement. The description notes that a cooperative agreement typically implies substantial federal involvement or collaboration during the project period compared to a standard grant.

Is this opportunity discretionary?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity offered by USDA NRCS.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 10.902.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is USDA NRCS MS CTA 17 01.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education under the listed category); and individuals.

Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?

No. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, with the noted condition that they are not institutions of higher education under the listed category.

How many awards were expected?

The posting indicates an expected 15 awards.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is listed as 0. In the description provided, this is explained as usually meaning the ceiling was not specified in the notice rather than implying there is no limit in practice.

When was the opportunity posted, and when did it close?

The opportunity was originally posted on April 6, 2017, with an original closing date of May 5, 2017.

What would a strong application emphasize, based on the description?

Based on the program description, strong applications would emphasize established community trust, clear outreach plans, concrete technical assistance activities, culturally competent support for underserved producers, and a realistic evaluation plan that tracks participation and measurable outcomes such as enrollment, conservation adoption, capacity gains, and tangible producer benefits.

What does "hands-on assistance" look like in practice under this opportunity?

The description suggests hands-on assistance could include helping producers identify relevant NRCS programs, meet eligibility requirements, complete paperwork, adopt conservation practices, and maintain compliance over time, supported through workshops, one-on-one assistance, demonstrations, or structured support activities.

How does the opportunity connect conservation participation to farm viability?

NRCS signals that projects should connect conservation participation to improved farm resilience, reduced risk, and better market or operational outcomes, with the broader aim of helping producers create or increase revenue while also achieving conservation benefits.