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Conservation Security Program (CSP) 2008 | Utah NRCSNews Release: USDA Extends Sign-up for 2008 Conservation Security Program (May 7, 2008) 2008 Conservation Security Program Watersheds AnnouncedAgriculture Secretary Ed Schafer recently announced the 2008 Conservation Security Program (CSP) sign-up will be held April 18, 2008 to May 30, 2008 in 51 watersheds nationwide.
"USDA is committed to providing a fair and equitable program that rewards our nation's leading conservationists," said Shafer. "Since the first sign-up in 2004, CSP has offered payments for enhancing natural resources, rewarding those farmers and ranchers who are model conservationists, and providing incentives for other producers to achieve those same high standards of conservation in agriculture.” The Utah office of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service held its first CSP sign-up in 2005, with three watersheds participating, and then one more watershed in 2006 (see links below to previous watersheds). “As an agency and as a Nation we have helped farmers and ranchers correct past conservation problems such as soil erosion or water conservation since the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s,” said Sylvia Gillen, Utah State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) overseeing CSP. This, however, represents a whole new direction in conservation and agricultural policy and programs. These payments for demonstrable long-term stewardship will reward many of those who undertook conservation on their own initiative and who care for the resources we all share.” Furthermore the program is available on pastureland, rangeland and all types of cropland—including Utah’s orchards, vines, vegetables, and dry beans where agricultural programs have not always been available. Participants will be enrolled in one of three tiers in the program, depending on the extent of the conservation treatment in place on their farm or ranch. Payments will be based in part on this existing conservation treatment as well as their willingness to undertake additional environmental enhancements. Gillen said that historic application of soil and water conservation measures is the “price of admission.” Farmers will also have options to improve wildlife habitat, undertake on-farm energy conservation, improve air quality, participate in environmental monitoring, and improve nutrient and pest management activities. NRCS will offer local workshops in the selected watershed to more fully explain the program to interested potential participants. For more information on CSP see http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp. For more information on other NRCS programs see http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs. Agricultural Operation DelineationNRCS will substantiate control of land and agricultural operation delineation for all CSP applicants. Farm Service Agency (FSA) records will be used to substantiate control of land and agriculture operation delineation for all applicants who are participants in other USDA programs administered by FSA. Farm records must be consistent across all USDA programs. If a participant wishes to offer an agricultural operation delineation for CSP that is different from their current farm operating plan on file with the FSA, the participant will be directed to update their farm records with FSA to meet eligibility criteria. Click on the link below for information on Utah's 2008 CSP Watershed:Self-AssessmentA self-assessment workbook (available at the NRCS field office or online) is available to help agricultural producers determine their eligibility to participate in CSP.
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Adobe Acrobat. Fact SheetsFor Utah, the following fact sheets list questions that will help you determine eligibility for your type of farming operation.
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Adobe Acrobat. Benchmark Inventory/RecordsCommercial Record Keeping Software
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Adobe Acrobat
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Microsoft Excel. Enhancement Worksheets
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Adobe Acrobat. CSP ArchivesContactFor more information on the statewide CSP program contact Tim Julander, NRCS Conservation Security Program Manager at (801) 524-4561. Last Modified: 07/17/2008 |
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The sole Utah watershed selected is the Upper Weber, in Summit County (see link below). Agricultural producers within the defined boundaries will be eligible to apply for various levels of CSP benefits.
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