Conservation Stewardship Program
What is CSP?
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary USDA program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to address resource conserns by:
- Undertaking additional conservation activities, and
- Improving and maintaining existing conservation systems.
Benefits:
CSP pays for conservation performance — the higher the performance, the higher the payment. There are two types of payments:
- An annual payment is available for installing new conservation activities and maintaining existing practices.
- A supplemental payment is available to participants who also adopt a resource-conserving crop rotation.
Payments:
Through five-year contracts, NRCS makes payments after October 1 for contract activities installed and maintained in the previous fiscal year (October 1 – September 30). Payment limitations are $40,000 per year for a person or legal entity, and $80,000 for joint operations.
Protection of our Natural Resources:
The CSP addresses the following resource conserns: soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources, and energy.
How to Apply:
The deadline for signing an application, to be considered for a contract for Fiscal Year 2013, is June 14, 2013. Your local NRCS field office will assist you in completing the application.
