USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Jane Hardisty has announced that the cut-off date for the current Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) ranking period has been extended to January 27, 2012 in Indiana. Producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship are eligible for CSP payments.
Hardisty encourages interested producers to apply at their local NRCS field office as soon as they can. “CSP is a very popular program and we want to make sure that people who want to be considered for CSP funding during this first ranking period have the time they need to complete their applications,” Hardisty said.
CSP provides many conservation benefits including improved water and soil quality, enhanced wildlife habitat and addressing the effects of climate change. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and nonindustrial forestland.
According to Teresah Caire, Assistant State Conservationist for Farm Bill Programs, over $5.9 million dollars in CSP funds is available for Indiana producers this year for their participation. “We encourage our producers to take advantage of the conservation opportunities being made available to them through CSP,” Caire said.
A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if they qualify for CSP at local NRCS offices or at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp. To find you nearest NRCS office, visit https://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov.
Learn more about CSP and other NRCS programs at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs.