SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
RENO, Nev. – The Natural Resources Conservation Service has extended the deadline to Jan. 21 for agricultural producers to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program.
“By extending the deadline, we hope to allocate all of our CSP funds during this first sign-up period,” said Gary Roeder (rey-der), NRCS assistant state conservationist.
Interested producers should contact their local NRCS or Farm Service Agency office as soon as possible to determine their eligibility. “Producers may not have another opportunity to sign up during this fiscal year,” Roeder said.
Under CSP, individuals can receive up to $200,000 for the life of the contract, and joint operations can receive up to $400,000. Beginning producers get a minimum payment of $1,000, according to Roeder.
Through the Conservation Stewardship Program, NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to eligible producers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air and related natural resources on their land. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest lands, agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe and other private agricultural land (including cropped woodland, marshes and agricultural land used for the production of livestock) on which resource concerns related to agricultural production could be addressed. Participation in the program is voluntary.
Producers interested in applying for CSP are encouraged to complete the online self-screening checklist at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html#right.
To begin the application process or for more detailed information, contact your local Nevada NRCS office, or visit the national CSP website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.
