March 15, 2012

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Nebraska received 1,044 applications for the first Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) ranking period of the fiscal year, according to an NRCS news release quoting State Conservationist Craig Derickson.

CSP has been a popular program in Nebraska. In the last two years over 1,600 contracts in 91 counties have been enrolled into CSP.

Nationwide, NRCS received 17,654 applications. NRCS expects to enroll a total of 10.8 million acres into the program in fiscal year 2012.

“Farmers and ranchers in Nebraska who are deeply committed to being even better stewards of natural resources have proved once again that CSP is a program that works for them,” Derickson said. “NRCS looks forward to working with producers to bring the benefits of quality conservation to their operations.”

CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland, and non-industrial forestland.

News Release, NRCS Nebraska Office