Applications Will Be Accepted Through June 11, 2010
Producers nationwide are invited to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 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 include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. The deadline to be considered for the next ranking and funding period is June 11, 2010.
Carlos Suarez, Florida NRCS State Conservationist says, “This program will benefit Florida agricultural producers for implementing conservation practices in the past as well as the future. It is also important to visit a local field office and get signed up before the deadline.”
Congress limited enrollment for CSP nationally at 12.7 million acres per year. Applicants will compete within state-identified ranking pools. CSP is offered in all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-ups with announced cut-off application dates for ranking periods.
Under the interim final rule published July 29, 2009, 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. However, they can make their final decision to participate in the program once the CSP final rule is issued. The final rule will establish the policies and procedures for the program.
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.
For more information about CSP and the self-screening checklist, please contact Donna Hopwood, District Conservationist for Alachua and Bradford Counties, at 352-376-7414 extension 3, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the CSP website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.