Enrollment For New CSP Under Way

A new signup period is underway for the USDA's Conservation Stewardship Program.  NRCS Deputy Chief Jimmy Bramlett noted a variety of improvements to CSP, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.

"In previous Farm Bills, we had an $18 an acre cap associated with the overall program administration, and a total acreage of about 7.9 million acres. Now, this just us as an agency a lot more flexibility just to administer, much like Equip and all other conservation programs with a primary focus on the financial assistance and the dollar limitations associated with the authorization."

Bramlett noted additional flexibility is created through providing the funding for the entire five-year CSP contract up front.  Higher payment rates for specific conservation practices, such as cover-crops, and specific support for organic and transitioning-to-organic production activity.  Applications for CSP enrollments for fiscal year 2019 funding should be submitted by May 10th at your local NRCS office.