Conservation Stewardship Program
Annual payments for US agricultural and forest producers who maintain existing conservation work and add practices that improve resilience.
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Build on conservation already under way across your operation. A five-year CSP contract pays annually both for maintaining your existing level of conservation and for adding agreed practices or enhancements, such as more diverse cover crops, better grazing or habitat work.
Most participants qualify for a $4,000 minimum payment in a year when their calculated annual contract payment would otherwise be lower. Payment schedules and ranking priorities vary by state.
Eligibility
Individuals, legal entities, joint operations and Indian Tribes can apply if they own or rent and currently manage US land for agricultural or forest production. CSP enrolls the whole eligible operation, not one field or tract. The land must meet USDA's highly erodible land and wetland conservation rules, and you must maintain control throughout the five-year contract. Adjusted gross income must generally be below $900,000; this income limit does not apply to Indian Tribes.
For financial assistance, prepare an official tax ID, a deed or lease showing control of the property, and a farm number. Your plan must maintain existing conservation work and add activities selected with an NRCS planner.
How to apply
- Statut
- Candidatures au fil de l’eau
- Conditions de cette période de candidature
- You can apply throughout the year. Submit before your state’s deadline so your application can be scored and considered for funding in that selection round.
Contact your local NRCS service center to register your interest. A conservation planner visits the property, reviews resource concerns and develops a plan with you. You can apply throughout the year. Submit before your state's deadline so your application can be scored and considered for funding in that selection round.