|
 Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
helps agricultural operators build their business while
implementing conservation practices that help ensure the
sustainability of their entire operation. NRCS plans to enroll
up to 10 million acres in CSP in 2018.
While applications for CSP are accepted year round, applications
must be received by March 2, 2018 to be considered for this
funding period.
Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn
payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding
conservation activities like cover crops, nutrient management,
buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat –
all while maintaining active agriculture production on their
land. CSP also encourages the adoption of cutting-edge
technologies and new management techniques such as precision
agriculture applications, on-site carbon storage and planting
for high carbon sequestration rate, and new soil amendments to
improve water quality.
Some of these benefits of CSP include:
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Improved water quality
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Improved cattle gains per acre;
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Increased crop yields;
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Decreased inputs;
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Improved wildlife habitat and populations; and
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Better resilience to weather extremes.
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NRCS recently made several updates to the program to
help producers better evaluate their conservation options and the
benefits to their operations and natural resources. New methods and
software for evaluating applications help producers see up front why
they are or are not meeting stewardship thresholds, and allow them
to pick practices and enhancements that work for their conservation
objectives. These tools also enable producers to see potential
payment scenarios for conservation early in the process.
Producers interested in CSP are recommended to contact their local
USDA service center or visit
www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.
[Paige Buck
Public Affairs Officer
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service] |
