NRCS Program Can Benefit New Jersey Farmers, Forest Land Owners

SOMERSET — State Conservationist Carrie Lindig hopes to see more New Jersey farmers take advantage of opportunities available to them through the Conservation Stewardship Program in 2016.
“The Conservation Stewardship Program helps farmers achieve higher levels of conservation and adopt new and emerging conservation technologies on farm and forestland,” said State Conservationist Carrie Lindig.
Since 2009, New Jersey farmers have enrolled over 13,000 acres in the program administered by USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, but producers should submit applications by March 31, 2016 to NRCS at their local USDA service centers to ensure they are considered for enrollment in 2016.
Participants with existing CSP contracts that will expire on Dec. 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.
Funding is available for more than 100 kinds of enhancements to help participants:
• Improve soil quality through use of cover crops, conservation crop rotations and other activities that increase soil productivity.
• Use water wisely and improve water quality through enhancements such as more efficient irrigation systems and weather monitoring.
• Restore habitat for wildlife and pollinators through the use of better grazing systems and improved plant management.
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.
Through CSP, USDA has provided more than $4 billion since 2009 in assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest managers to enhance conservation on more than 70 million acres. 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.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday that $150 million in funding is available for agricultural producers through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) across the country. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to add an estimated 10 million acres to the rolls of CSP during fiscal 2016.
Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $29 billion to help producers make conservation improvements, working with as many as 500,000 farmers, ranchers and landowners to protect over 400 million acres nationwide, boosting soil and air quality, cleaning and conserving water and enhancing wildlife habitat. For an interactive look at USDA’s work in conservation and forestry over the course of this Administration, visit http://medium.com/usda-results.
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