The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation program that 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 include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. Eligible applications receive a field visit and a ranking score. Applicants selected for funding will enter into 5-year contracts and may receive up to $40,000 per year.
CSP is available on Tribal and private agricultural lands in all 50 States and the Caribbean and Pacific Islands Areas. The program provides equitable access to all producers, regardless of operation size, crops produced, or geographic location.
Joyce Swartzendruber, Montana’s State Conservationist talks about a successful 2010 for the program and her expecations for 2011.
For more information on the Conservation Stewardship Program, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.
© Northern Ag Network 2010
Russell Nemetz & Haylie Shipp
