The Program
CSP is a voluntary program that pro-
vides financial and technical assis-
tance to promote the conservation
and improvement of soil, water, air,
energy, plant and animal life, and
other conservation purposes on
Tribal and private working farm and
ranchlands. Eligible lands include
cropland, rangeland, pasture land, as
well as forested land that is an inci-
dental part of an agriculture opera-
tion.
Enrollment and Basic Eligibility
Participants will be enrolled in one
of three tiers in the program,
depending on the extent of the con-
servation treatment in place on their
farm or ranch. Payments will be
based in part on this existing conser-
vation treatment as well as their will-
ingness to undertake additional envi-
ronmental enhancements.
Tier I: the producer must have
addressed water quality and soil
quality to meet the minimum treat-
ment requirements on part of the
agricultural operation prior to
acceptance into CSP.
Tier II: the producer must have
addressed water quality and soil
quality to meet the minimum treat-
ment requirements on the entire
agricultural operation prior to
acceptance, and agree to address
one additional resource concern by
the end of the contract period.
Tier III: the producer must have
addressed all resource concerns to
a resource management system
level that meets the Field Office
Technical Guide standards on the
entire agricultural operation before
acceptance into the program, and
agree to additional enhancement
activities outlined in the sign-up
announcement.
Tier I contracts are for 5 years;
maximum payment is $20,000
annually.
Tier II contracts are for 5-10
years; maximum payment is
$35,000 annually.
Tier III contracts are for 5-10
years; maximum payment is
$45,000 annually.
NRCS provides technical and
financial assistance to help
agricultural producers and
others care for the land.
NRCS has six mission goals
that include high quality,
productive soils; clean and
abundant water; healthy plant
and animal communities;
clean air; an adequate energy
supply;