Sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that landowners are invited to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands in New York include cropland, pastureland, and non-industrial private forestland. The deadline to be considered for the next ranking and funding period is June 11, 2010.”Voluntary conservation practices by private landowners are an essential part of our effort to improve soil and water quality,” said State Conservationist Astor Boozer. “Participation in CSP provides landowners with many benefits such as enhancing wildlife habitat and helping to mitigate the impact of climate change.”Eligible producers may submit an application to enroll eligible land in CSP on a continuous basis. Producers are encouraged to apply for CSP now to ensure their applications will be considered during the next funding and ranking period. Potential applicants are encouraged to use the CSP self-screening checklist to determine if the new program is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations and potential payments. The checklist is available on the NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/special_pdfs/CSP_Producer_Self-Screening_Checklist.pdf. For sign-up details or additional conservation program information, visit http://www.ny.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/index.html or contact your local USDA NRCS office