Conservation Security Program (CSP) Application Process Fact Sheet

You’ve decided that the majority of your farming or ranching operation is within the selected watershed and you want to apply for the Conservation Security Program (CSP). Now what? To apply for CSP, you need to determine if you meet the basic eligibility criteria and find out if you are qualified for funding in the program.

Basic Eligibility

There are a few requirements for the land and landowners or operators to be eligible for CSP. In general:

• CSP participants must share in the risk of producing crops or livestock on the operation. (Landowners receiving cash rent are not eligible at this time because there is no risk to the landlord.)
• CSP participants must have control of the land for the life of the CSP contract.
• Enrolled land must be private agricultural land or tribal land.
• CSP participants must have completed a form 1026 for Wetland and Highly Erodible Land (HEL) determinations. Each person must self-certify the occurrence or absence of HEL or wetlands on their property. If present, you will work with NRCS to develop a conservation plan to be in compliance with Federal regulations regarding this land. This is important for those who have not participated in USDA programs before. It is a requirement for eligibility for all USDA participants and must be completed prior to applying for CSP.

Get a USDA Identification Number

All CSP program applicants will be required to have a USDA Identification Number (also referred to as a SCIMS number). If you have participated in USDA farm programs in the past, you most likely have a USDA Identification Number. If you do not, the process is very simple: just contact your local NRCS office and they’ll be glad to help.

Complete the National Self-Assessment Workbook and the Montana State Supplement

The CSP is designed to provide stewardship and enhancement payments to the very best conservationists. The best stewards also maintain records and documentation upon which they base their management decisions. A self-assessment and documentation evidence is required prior to applying for CSP and will help you determine if you qualify for funds.

The National Self-Assessment Workbook helps you determine your basic eligibility for CSP and walks you through a number of steps to determine whether you qualify. The workbooks will be available on the Conservation Security Program webpage.

Because the National Self-Assessment Workbook is a broad assessment developed for national use, NRCS in Montana has developed a Montana State Supplement to the National Self-Assessment Workbook that provides more applicable eligibility questions and forms to complete to let you know exactly what types of documentation and records are required for eligibility. This workbook, when updated with current information, will be available at the above website.

You will need to bring your self-assessment, the Montana supplement and any other required documentation when you meet with your local NRCS office to discuss your potential eligibility.

Meet With Your Local NRCS Staff

Once you have completed your self-assessment make an appointment with your local NRCS office. NRCS staff will confirm the information in your self-assessment and determine whether you qualify for the program. They can also help you identify future work you would like to complete to conserve resources on your land.

Based on this information, your local NRCS staff will determine the tier and enrollment category in which you are eligible.

Get a Vendor Number

You will provide your social security number or tax identification number to NRCS on your application. This number will then be referred to as your vendor identification number.

NRCS’s accounting system tracks payments through this vendor number. CSP payments will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and you will receive a Form 1099 reflecting contract payments if you are funded. NRCS uses the same payment system to pay USDA program recipients in CSP as they do for those who provide goods and services to the agency, thus the term “vendor.”

Set-Up Direct Deposit

Most producers who get funded under the CSP will receive their payments electronically. This is referred to as electronic fund transfer. When you apply, you must complete a direct deposit form because most NRCS payments are made through electronic transfer of funds. If you do not have a checking account, you should request a waiver and NRCS will make arrangements to pay with a check.

Submit an Application

After NRCS confirms your eligibility from your supporting documents, you may complete an application. Based on information from your self-assessment and your interview with the local NRCS staff, NRCS will include tier and enrollment category on your application. You will be notified by mail if your application will be funded.

Complete Your Conservation Stewardship Contract

If you are selected, you will also be contacted by your local NRCS office to finalize and sign your conservation stewardship contract.

For More Information

For more information about CSP, visit your local USDA Service Center listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture. Information is also available on the Conservation Security Program webpage. Remember, the key to CSP is providing records of your conservation stewardship, so start gathering those records now.

If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Webmaster at 406-587-6945.

This fact sheet is also available in Adobe Reader format.

Conservation Security Program Application Process (PDF; April 2008; 173 KB)

Last Modified: 10/27/2008