For FY 2013, NRCS will consider proposals that demonstrate the use of innovative technologies and/or approaches to address at least one bulleted topic listed below. • Soil Health/Quality • Iowa Nutrient Management Strategy • Grassland Management • Drought Mitigation • Technology related to Establishing Cover Crops Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities For the purposes of CIG, the proposed innovative project or activity must encompass the development, demonstration, evaluation, implementation, and monitoring of: • Conservation adoption approaches or incentive systems; or • Promising conservation technologies, practices, systems, procedures, or approaches; or • Environmental soundness with goals of environmental protection and natural resource enhancement. To be given priority consideration, the innovative project or activity must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations throughout the duration of the project and should: • Make use of a proven technology or a technology that has been studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success; • Demonstrate and verify environmental (soil, water, air, plants, energy, and animal) effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of conservation technology in the field; • Adapt conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, procedures, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption; • Introduce conservation systems, approaches, and procedures from another geographic area or agricultural sector; or • Demonstrate transferability of knowledge.