The Utah Department of Food and Agriculture will award $1.8 million in grants to help fight the spread of weeds in Utah.
The Invasive Species Mitigation (ISM) funds are awarded to state, federal and local entities for weed abatement. Weeds such as cheatgrass traditionally compete against other vegetation, eventually take over, dry out and then become major fire hazards. Weeds also interfere with livestock feeding and threaten recreation areas and local crops.
Applications are available by going to the UDAF website at ag.utah.gov/documents/ISM2014.pdf. Applications are due March 17, and the grant will be available by the end of July.