Program Offers Rewards, Incentives for Stewardship of Farm and Forest Land

SOMERSET — State Conservationist Carrie Lindig reminds New Jersey farmers and forest land owners that there is still time to apply for the 2016 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
“NRCS has increased the base payment for CSP participants to $1500,” Lindig said, “and is offering funding for more than 100 kinds of enhancements to help improve soil quality, water usage, and water quality, and restore habitat for wildlife and pollinators. We hope more farmers and forest land owners will take advantage of the opportunities available through CSP.” The current application period for CSP will close on March 31.
The Program is designed to help participants achieve higher levels of conservation and adopt new and emerging conservation technologies on their land. A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if the program is compatible with their operation. As part of the application process, applicants will work with NRCS field personnel to complete a resource inventory of their land to determine the conservation performance for existing and new conservation activities. The applicant’s conservation performance will be used to determine eligibility, ranking and payments.
NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, but producers who submit applications by March 31, 2016 to NRCS at their local USDA service centers will be considered for enrollment in 2016. Participants with existing CSP contracts that will expire on December 31, 2016, 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 are also due by March 31, 2016.
For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.
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