ST. PAUL — The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program applications to be considered for screening and possibly ranked to compete for FY20 funding is May 29.
Through CSP, farmers, ranchers and forest land producers earn payments for enhancing conservation while addressing ag production needs on their land. CSP encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques in addition to their existing conservation activities.
The 2018 Farm Bill made some improvements to the CSP program. The updates include:
NRCS is able to fund eligible, high-ranking applications based on dollars rather than acres.
CSP now provides increased opportunities for organic and transitioning to organic production activities.
CSP is offered in Minnesota through continuous signups. The program provides many potential benefits including increased productivity, decreased inputs and increased resilience to weather extremes. CSP is for working lands including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, farmsteads and nonindustrial private forest land including lands under tribal nations jurisdiction.
While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office before May 29 to ensure their applications are screened for this year’s funding.
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