Check out the new Conservation Stewardship Program
This has been a very challenging year for our office. Increases in workload and budget constraints have played a major part in how we prioritize our day to day office and field activities. This affects the services we provide and ultimately what gets accomplished.
It has also been very challenging to anyone in the business of farming as well. Fuel costs, rain, wet fields, crop input costs, too much rain and the below-average weather this summer can put stress on one financially and emotionally. This wet weather we had this year has pushed harvest to the latest I have ever seen it in the county. So, as you are out this fall, be careful as you work in getting your crops out and as you drive around the county. Farmers will be putting in some long hours, as weather permits, in this harvest season. With the crops coming out, wildlife will be on the move, especially deer. Think Safety, Slow Down. Let’s be careful out there!
The new Conservation Stewardship Program has arrived. Agricultural operators nationwide can now learn what the new conservation program offers, how it works, and decide whether to enroll. CSP encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner and rewards them for it. Producers can review program details and enroll now. Important to note is that the sign-up for CSP is open nationwide and continuous, offering landowners plenty of time to look over program information, research program rules and goals to see if CSP is a good fit for their operation. Interested producers are encouraged to review all applicant information and requirements at www.nrcs.usda.new_csp or visit your local county USDA Service Center.
The funding by the federal government of a Farm Bill benefits us all. Not only are you assured of sufficient food and fiber at a reasonable cost, you are participating in conserving soil and preserving water quality. Since 1985, programs of the Farm Bill have provided financial and technical assistance to producers so they can better conserve and enhance soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land.
CSP is a new voluntary conservation program that provides opportunities to both recognize excellent stewards and deliver valuable new conservation activities. The program provides equitable access to all producers, regardless of operation size, crops produced or geographic location. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie areas, improved pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forestland and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. CSP provides participants with two possible types of payments. An annual payment is available for installing new conservation activities and maintaining existing activities. A supplemental payment may be earned by participants already receiving an annual payment who also adopt a resource-conserving crop rotation.
The United States Department of Agriculture ensures activity in the CSP program will reap beneficial improvements both on and off the farm. Sustainable natural resource conditions, long-term land productivity, reduced non-point source pollution, improved air quality, and enhanced wildlife habitat will be the result. CSP applicants who achieve those results — and are willing to do even more — will be financially rewarded. CSP rewards conservationists for putting quality conservation on their land.
New regulations for eligibility are highly specific. Listed here are important details Illinois producers should know:
CSP targets farm operators; participants must be legal operator of land in question for the life of the five-year contract.
All operators must be documented in Farm Service Agency’s farm records management system. Those without this status — or those with outdated or inaccurate records — must be enrolled in the system or update their data or they will be ineligible.
Obtain the “Self-Screening Checklist” online or at the local the Natural Resources Conservation Service office; answer all questions and fill it out completely, to help you decide if CSP fits your goals and your operation.
Other information about your operation — documentation, maps, etc. — will be required later. Be ready!
Information must be documented in FSA’s farm records management system. This ensures applicant eligibility information for Adjusted Gross Income verification and it confirms compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions. In order to be eligible, all paperwork and conservation status must be in order. If you’re not ready right now, don’t worry. There’s plenty of time to update your information and check out the program — remember this is a continuous and ongoing enrollment.
A new electronic conservation measurement tool has been developed to rank CSP applications. NRCS will enter data and information into the computerized tool which measures, calculates, and ultimately rates the performance and effect of conservation practices installed on the land. This new tool will systematically and scientifically evaluate and rank CSP applications nationwide.
CSP will offer two possible payment scenarios: One involves an annual payment for installing and adopting additional activities, and improving, maintaining, and managing existing activities. Compensation for on-farm research and demonstration activities or pilot tests will be made through this annual payment. The other payment scenario includes a supplemental payment for folks receiving annual payments who also agree to adopt a new resource-conserving crop rotation.
Nationwide, NRCS established a target to set aside five percent of CSP acres for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and an additional five percent for beginning farmers or ranchers. “This ensures CSP will be available to operations of all shapes and sizes!
Participants will create a ‘‘conservation stewardship plan,’’ using NRCS’ conservation planning process. This plan will document how producers address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner. The conservation stewardship plan contains a record of participant decisions on the schedule of conservation activities to be implemented, managed, and improved under CSP.
Staff at your local county USDA/NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation District office are ready to explain the program and to help you take advantage of what it has to offer. On a side note, if there are any areas you find on your land after harvest that may be in need of a waterway or you have waterways scheduled for fall construction, please contact your contractor and your NRCS/SWCD office. Have a safe and happy harvest season.
Roderick Kuykendall is the district conservationist of the Bureau County Natural Resources Conservation Service.
