Plant Materials for Conservation
Program Objective
To assemble, evaluate, and promote the use of new and improved plant materials for soil, water, and related resource conservation and environmental improvement programs. To develop technology for land management and revegetation with plant materials. To transfer technology on plant materials to conservation partners and the public.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
The public may access information on conservation plants and technical documents through the website, without restriction and at no cost. Commercial seed growers and nurserymen interested in the commercial production of selected plant materials may obtain foundation and starter plant materials through distributing entities. The public is not eligible to obtain plant materials.
Program details & compliance
Description
This program supports NRCS conservation delivery to private landowners. The information developed by the program is also applicable to other federal and state agencies and to the public. Information about the released conservation plants and technical documents for the selection, use, and management of conservation plants is available at no cost to the public through the program’s website.
Released conservation plants are available to the public through commercial seed and plant growers. Commercial growers may request foundation and starter seed or plants of plant materials center releases through the distributing entity. Information for commercial growers to obtain starter plant materials is available on the program website.
Mission Categories
Primary: Land and Forest Conservation
Other categories:
Agricultural Resource Conservation and DevelopmentWater ConservationFish and Wildlife Preservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Plant materials are used in all phases of the soil and water conservation program. This program emphasizes field testing to determine the plant's value and restoration techniques. The public may use program information to implement practices which improve natural resources. Commercial seed and plant growers may request the program’s conservation plants for large scale production.
Restrictions
Plants or seeds are not provided to the public. Participation in the distribution of the program’s conservation plants is restricted to commercial growers to facilitate large-scale production. The program currently maintains breeder or foundation materials for about 580 conservation plants that were released by NRCS and cooperators. The program provides commercial seed and plant growers with limited quantities of breeder and foundation quality seed or propagules of NRCS-released conservation plants through state Crop Improvement Associations or Foundations Seed Services, or in some cases directly from the plant materials center. Growers may need to sign an agreement with NRCS or make a payment to the third party to receive foundation or starter materials.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
Additional Info: 7 CFR 613 provides information on the operation of NRCS plant materials centers, including NRCS responsibilities for the distribution of plant materials to commercial growers.