Continuous sign up begins for new CSP
Farm and Ranch August 11, 2009 Sign up began Monday for the new Conservation Stewardship Program with the first signup cutoff deadline scheduled for September 30th. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan says not only does the program have a new name, formerly it was the Conservation Security Program, it no longer bases eligibility on watersheds. The program is now open nationwide. Funding is also expanded. But Merrigan says. Merrigan: “The core program is still the same. The motto of the program is “Reward the best and motivate the rest.” The idea is to provide financial help for our producers out there who are working hard to protect our land and water.” Farmer applications for the program will be judged on what that farm is doing currently in improving land and water quality and the farms plans for future projects and on conservation goals set the by the state where the farm is located. To apply for the newly revamped CSP, potential participants will be encouraged to use a self-screening checklist first to determine whether the new program is suitable for them or their operation. It will be available on NRCS Web sites and at NRCS field offices. Congress capped the annual acreage enrollment at 12,769,000 acres for each fiscal year nationwide. USDA is finalizing the program's policies and procedures. The CSP interim final rule, published in the Federal Register, is open for public comment through Sept. 28. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ?
