Continuing its emphasis on conservation, the US Department of Agriculture has awarded some new grants for Illinois, Iowa, and 29 other states.
Monday, Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement at a farm in Rock Island County. He says the $15.7 million dollars from the Conservation Innovation Grant program will help universities, non-profits, and other groups develop new conservation methods.
“Conservation has this extraordinary not only to preserve the soil, which is critically important to this farming operation and every farming operation, but also to preserve the quality and quantity of water that we have available. That’s why we’ve been focused on trying to figure out creative and innovative ways to encourage more conservation.”
Vilsack also says half of the new grants will focus on soil health. He says one of the key challenges farmers are starting to face now is changing weather patterns. Since it started several years ago, the Conservation Innovation Grant program has funded more than 300 projects totaling 126 million dollars.
Vilsack was accompanied by 17th District Congresswoman, Cheri Bustos, who's a member of the House Agriculture Committee.