MONROE - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting new applications and renewal applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program.
NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, but producers should submit applications by March 31 to USDA Service Centers to ensure they are considered for enrollment in 2016.
Participants with existing CSP contracts that will expire Dec. 31 have the option to renew their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional activities to achieve higher levels of conservation on their lands. Applications to renew also are due by March 31. CSP encourages agricultural producers to maintain existing conservation activities and adopt additional ones on their operations. The program is open to all farmers, regardless of size or type of operation.
Average payments for the program in Wisconsin are $20 per acre for cropland, $14 per acre for pastureland and $4 per acre for forestland. Payments are made annually for each of the five years of the contract. CSP is open to small and large operations, with farms already enrolled ranging from just a few acres to more than 4,000 acres of cropland. Through CSP, since 2009 NRCS in Wisconsin has provided more than $79 million in assistance to farmers and forest managers to enhance conservation on more than 1.5 million acres.
For many farmers, CSP offers reward and recognition for the conservation they are already doing, plus extra incentive to try a few more or new practices. Interested farmers should apply now to be considered for funding. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and tribal lands.
Farmers will need to document their current and proposed conservation practices, which will be used to rank applications and determine payments. NRCS field staff also will conduct on-site field verifications of applicants' information.
Visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov, or contact the Monroe NRCS office at 608-325-4195 for more information.
NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, but producers should submit applications by March 31 to USDA Service Centers to ensure they are considered for enrollment in 2016.
Participants with existing CSP contracts that will expire Dec. 31 have the option to renew their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional activities to achieve higher levels of conservation on their lands. Applications to renew also are due by March 31. CSP encourages agricultural producers to maintain existing conservation activities and adopt additional ones on their operations. The program is open to all farmers, regardless of size or type of operation.
Average payments for the program in Wisconsin are $20 per acre for cropland, $14 per acre for pastureland and $4 per acre for forestland. Payments are made annually for each of the five years of the contract. CSP is open to small and large operations, with farms already enrolled ranging from just a few acres to more than 4,000 acres of cropland. Through CSP, since 2009 NRCS in Wisconsin has provided more than $79 million in assistance to farmers and forest managers to enhance conservation on more than 1.5 million acres.
For many farmers, CSP offers reward and recognition for the conservation they are already doing, plus extra incentive to try a few more or new practices. Interested farmers should apply now to be considered for funding. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and tribal lands.
Farmers will need to document their current and proposed conservation practices, which will be used to rank applications and determine payments. NRCS field staff also will conduct on-site field verifications of applicants' information.
Visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov, or contact the Monroe NRCS office at 608-325-4195 for more information.