USDA’s NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) is accepting applications for its Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) for projects aimed at stimulating the development and implementation of innovative conservation practices.  Pre-proposals are due February 24th, 2015 and selected applications will be invited to submit a full proposal for $20 million in total available funding.  Approximately half of this total funding will be set aside from projects addressing environmental markets and conservation projects that engage agricultural producers.