Being a Good Steward of the Land Has its Rewards!

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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

May 27, 2010, 04:45 ET

Conservation Stewardship Program Sign Up Ends June 11, 2010

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Agricultural producers and non-industrial forestland owners maintaining conservation practices may be eligible to receive up to $40,000 a year for the next 5 years through the USDA's Conservation Stewardship Program, announced Denise Coleman, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist. "But, time is running out to apply."

USDA recently announced June 11, 2010 as the national cutoff date, which will require potential applicants to submit applications quickly.

CSP is a voluntary program that encourages producers to maintain existing conservation activities and adopt new ones on their farm and non-industrial forestland operations. The program is popular for those who go the extra mile with conservation and sustainable practices, whether they've accomplished it on their own or through USDA and NRCS programs.

According to Coleman, the sign-up process is more streamlined than its predecessor, the Conservation Security Program. "The conservation options available through CSP will make sense to our producers," she said.

Producers, farm families, and forest landowners who have maintained a conservation legacy on their farm over the years or those who have changed the operation over the last few years to include more eco-friendly management strategies, are rewarded through CSP. CSP pays to maintain those successful practices AND it helps add even more solutions that protect soil, water, and related natural resources on private lands.

"I know Pennsylvania has many landowners and producers who are committed to conservation because I see evidence of it on the land every day," Coleman says. "If you are one of those stewards of the land and you think it might be time to partner with NRCS to do even more of the right thing, I urge you to visit with your local NRCS staff and tell them all you've done. This program was designed to encourage more conservation activity and recognize good stewards."

To learn more and get involved with the program for 2010, visit your county USDA Service Center today, or visit www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service