Contracted Seed Grow Out Program

A Nevada Department of Agriculture program that awards paid four-year contracts (up to six per solicitation) to Nevada growers who produce locally adapted native seed for the state's post-wildfire restoration needs. Growers receive per-acre compensation and starter seed plus technical support through Nevada's Foundation Seed Program (FSP).

Open to Nevada-resident agricultural producers/growers. Cooperators must be the legal landowner (or hold notarized landowner authorization), have appropriate water rights for the site, control noxious weeds per NRS 555, and keep the majority of the growing area within Nevada. Priority to applicants who demonstrate the most knowledge of the species they apply to grow.

Growers are paid to produce native seed for state restoration on a four-year contract (subject to Board of Examiners approval). Production funding is set per acre by species difficulty at $4,000, $5,000, or $6,000 per acre; payment is made in two installments (80% at contract establishment, 20% at completion). All harvested clean seed is returned to the Department during the contract; seed produced from those fields after the contract term is the grower's to sell. Total funding available for the initiative is $316,445.

Submit an emailed proposal to ndacontracts@agri.nv.gov including prior growing experience, a response to the Cost Schedule (species and acreage), a completed Nevada Native Seed Grow-Out Application, contact info, and a water-rights permit. The 2026 solicitation closed August 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST. The State intended to award up to six (6) four-year contracts; solicitations recur, so watch the Grant Opportunities page for the next cycle.