Source: USDA, 3/13/21
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it is accepting Conservation
Stewardship Program (CSP) renewal applications through March 31 for over 11,000
contracts set to end this year. CSP is USDA’s largest working lands
conservation program with more than 90 million acres enrolled.“In fiscal year 2020, NRCS helped enhance 9.3 million acres of land enrolled in CSP,” said Terry Cosby, acting Chief for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “CSP continues to prove its worth by helping farmers and ranchers advance their business operations through conservation enhancements on their land that sustain the natural resources that improve productivity and their bottom lines.” Participants with existing CSP contracts that close on December
31, 2021, can benefit from recent program changes by renewing their contracts
for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional conservation
practices on their land. Applications to renew expiring contracts are due by
March 31. About the Program CSP is for working lands, including cropland, pastureland,
rangeland, non-industrial forestland as well as tribal lands. The program helps
producers build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening their
operations. CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields,
decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and resiliency to weather
extremes. It also encourages the adoption of new technologies and innovative
management techniques. Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn
payments for actively managing, maintaining and expanding conservation
activities like cover crops, buffer strips, pollinator and beneficial insect
habitat and soil health activities while maintaining active agricultural
production on their land. Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill authorize NRCS to accept new CSP
enrollments through 2023 and make additional improvements to the program,
including higher payment rates for specific conservation activities on working
lands. More Information Producers interested in contract renewals or applying for CSP for
the first time should visit the CSP webpage or contact their local USDA
service center. While USDA offices are currently closed to visitors because of the
pandemic, Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via
phone, email, and other digital tools. To conduct business, please contact your
local USDA Service Center. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus
.
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