Quantitative BioSciences is one of seven private companies and conservation and agricultural organizations that have been awarded

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) in California, totaling $497,625. These are in addition to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) national awards for organizations in the state for over $1.5 million. The ultimate goal of the grants is to help the Agency and California farmers and ranchers with technical tools to protect natural resources.

NRCS California State Conservationist Lincoln E. Burton announced the awarding of the grants that range from $47,625 up to $75,000 ($75,000 is the maximum allowed for state awards). All contain at least a 50 percent match from non-federal sources, as required by the program.

Quantitative BioSciences was awarded $75,000 to develop a pilot scale version of an efficient and renewable agricultural waste treatment and bio energy production system. They are working in partnership with the Van Ommering Dairy Farm, a third generation family operation in Lakeside, CA

“The conservation landscape constantly changes and challenges us to be nimble in our ability to address these issues. Some of our best ideas for developing and adapting our technical tools to address modern challenges come from private groups and individuals,” said Burton. “The current set of awardees will bring us new insights into conservation technical solutions for water resources, grazing lands, energy, air quality and more.”

Nationwide through CIG, the USDA-NRCS is investing nearly $22.5 million in innovative conservation technologies and approaches that address a broad array of existing and emerging natural resource issues. The CIG grants were established in the 2008 Farm Bill as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Additional information is available online at http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/.