Idaho Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
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Growers can sign up for the revamped USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) as authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill. While the new CSP program is different, all contracts under the old CSP will be honored until the end of the contract term. The cutoff date for the first sign-up period is September 30, 2009; another proposed cutoff date is January 2010.
To apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program, potential participants can complete a self-screening checklist to determine if the Conservation Stewardship Program is suitable for them or their operation. The checklist is available on the NRCS Web site and at NRCS field offices.
The application process requires producers to:
- Have farm records established with USDA Farm Service Agency,
- Be the operator of the land,
- Provide evidence that they have control of the land for 5 years, and;
- Provide a map delineating their entire agriculture or forestry operation.
Applications will be ranked by estimating environmental performance based on the producer’s current and proposed conservation activities.
Like other NRCS programs, producer applications will be ranked. In this case the ranking pool for potato growers will be Southern Idaho Ag land. By statute, the maximum annual payment cap is $40,000 per farm. The exact payment rate will not be known until the total sign-up request is known.
After establishing an applicant’s eligibility and verifying application, growers must also develop a conservation stewardship plan. A producer must treat at least one resource concern and one priority resource concern during the length of their five-year contract.
Agricultural operators with critical resource concerns on their land or who need assistance with structural or other conservation practices can apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) first, then consider future enrollment in the Conservation Stewardship Program.
You can visit your local NRCS office to get an information packet and learn more about the program.