NEWS

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
For More Information:
Contact:  Jody Fagan, 208.685.6978

New CSP Offers Money for Stewardship
Application Process Takes Some Time

The New Conservation Security Program (CSP) can reward stewardship-minded farmers and ranchers up to $45,000 annually for ten years.

However, since the application process can take three hours or more, producers will want to visit their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office well before the May 27 sign-up deadline.

CSP is currently open to farmers and ranchers in 15 watersheds across Idaho. This year’s watersheds are located near Bonners Ferry, Kooskia, Grangeville, Cascade, Mountain Home, Arco, St. Anthony and Salmon. Producers in the 2005 watersheds may not see another CSP sign-up for eight years.

CSP is a voluntary program that supports ongoing stewardship of private, agricultural working lands and rewards those producers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation on their operations. Producers who enroll in the program maintain control of their land and are not obligated to offer public access for any reason.

Once producers complete their self-assessment workbook to see if they are eligible for the program, it can take NRCS personnel three hours or more to document and verify applicants’ stewardship activities.

“Producers interested in CSP will want to visit their local NRCS office sooner than later,” says Richard Sims, state conservationist for Idaho. “While it may seem like the paperwork is lengthy, the hourly rate is good when you figure in how much producers can be rewarded over the next ten years.”

For more information on CSP, producers can contact their local NRCS service center or visit www.id.nrcs.usda.gov .

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