Illinois Process for 2008 Conservation Security Program (CSP)

Lower Cache Watershed

Step 1: Introductory Information about CSP

A. Review this Illinois Introductory CSP information to decide if you might be qualified for CSP and have an interest in applying for the rogram.

B. If you are in an active watershed for the current year, review a watershed specific map for your area. If the majority of the land under your management control is located within the watershed selected for current year’s sign-up, you may be eligible to apply for CSP. If not, you will need to wait to apply when your watershed becomes active for CSP.

C. Ensure you are eligible for USDA Programs:

• If you have never participated in USDA programs, you need to have a wetland or Highly Erodible Land (HEL) determination for your farm. Obtain an AD-1026 form for wetland and HEL determination from your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. If you have HEL and/or wetlands, you must be in compliance with Federal regulations pertaining to HEL or wetlands.
• Ensure you are compliant with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) requirements and have a CCC-526 form on file with FSA.

Step 2: Completing the CSP Self-Assessment Workbook with the Illinois Supplements and Sign a CSP Application

A. Based on the introductory information, if you are interested in applying for CSP, complete the “CSP Self-Assessment Workbook and Illinois Supplements.” Obtain the “CSP Self-Assessment Workbook and Illinois Supplements” along with the NRCS-CPA-1202 CSP Appendix from your NRCS field office or on the Illinois NRCS web site at: www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/.

B. In order to complete the workbook, you will need an AD-1026A form and maps identifying your farming operation. Both can be obtained from FSA, if you don’t already have them. The completed “CSP Self-Assessment Workbook and Illinois Supplements” will identify your agricultural operation and provide sufficient data to enable the NRCS Field Office to determine your eligibility for CSP.

C. After completing the workbook, review the NRCS-CPA-1202 CSP Appendix so that you know the requirements of the CSP contract.

D. Complete the NRCS-CPA-1200 Application form for CSP by answering all the questions, signing, and dating the form. The form is located in the Appendix F of the “CSP Self-Assessment Workbook and Illinois Supplements” on pages 35-36.

Step 3: Submitting the Workbook and Schedule a Field Office Interview

A. Bring your completed “CSP Self-Assessment Workbook and Illinois Supplements”, including your completed and signed NRCS-CPA-1200 Application form, to the NRCS field office. If you are not applying as yourself or you are applying as an entity, provide the appropriate documentation such as NRCS Power of Attorney form or entity paper. NRCS staff will briefly review the workbook and schedule an interview. The interview will be scheduled within one to two weeks, allowing the field office time to review your completed workbook and prepare the necessary data for your interview.

B. NRCS staff will give you a packet called: “Step 4: Preparing for the Field Office Interview” to take home. The Step 4 packet includes an explanation of the CSP Tiers, additional resource conerncs for Tier II and Tier III, a list of enhancement activities, and explains contract verification.

Step 4: Preparing for the Field Office Interview

A. Many questions in the workbook must be supported by two years of written records and documentation. You will be self-certifying during the interview: however, NRCS will be requesting to see your supporting documentation if your application gets funded. Be sure you can support your answers with documentation. Examples of documentation are:

• If you have pastureland, you will need to have grazing records.
• If you have cropland, you will need to have yield data, soil tests, fertilizer records, etc.

For a list of documentation that may be requested, see “Step 4: Preparing for the Field Office Interview” pages 15-19.

B. Review the NRCS-CPA-1202 CSP Appendix, provided to you with the “CSP Self-Assessment Workbook and Illinois Supplements,” if you haven’t already done so. During the interview, you will review the Appendix with the NRCS staff.

Step 5: Completing Field Office Interview and Finalizing a CSP Application

A. During the interview, NRCS staff will use your completed workbook and information from you to determine how much of your agricultural operation is eligible for CSP. Based on this information, NRCS staff will determine the CSP Tier, Enrollment Category, and Subcategory in which you will be placed, and your estimated benefits of participating in the program.

B. The NRCS staff will also walk you through the completion of the CSP application forms. The application consists of the NRCS-CPA-1200 Application form and supporting documents, including maps identifying your agricultural operation; a “benchmark inventory” which documents that your operation meets the requirements for soil and water quality; the enhancement activities you are currently doing; and your Tier, Enrollment Category, and Subcategory.

C. NRCS will discuss future conservation work on your agricultural operation and how that might affect your agricultural operation if accepted into CSP.

Step 6: Funding of a CSP Application

Funding is determined at the national level, based on the CSP Enrollment Categories and Subcategories of all applications submitted throughout the nation. Categories and Subcategories will be funded until the amount of funding is exhausted. You will be notified by mail whether or not your application was selected for funding.

Step 7: Signing the Conservation Stewardship Contract and Finalizing Necessary Paperwork

If your CSP application is funded, your local NRCS office will contact you to finalize and sign a Conservation Stewardship Contract.

You will need to provide:

• Direct Deposit or Waiver: Most NRCS payments are made through Electronic Transfer of Funds. This means your CSP payments will be electronically deposited into your checking account. CSP payments will also be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Therefore, you must complete a Direct Deposit Form with your Conservation Stewardship Contract. If you do not have a bank account, you can request a waiver and NRCS will make arrangements to pay with a check.

Your Conservation Stewardship Contract will include:
• The signed NRCS-CPA-1202 Contract and Appendix,
• The signed NRCS-CPA-1155 with contract items,
• CSP Enhancement Activity and Certification sheets explaining your enhancement activities, and
• Your Conservation Stewardship Plan identifying CSP land uses, acreages, and an Agricultural Operation map.

You will receive copies of all documents with the signed originals being maintained in the NRCS field office.

Step 8: Verification

If your application is selected for funding, NRCS will need to review 2 years of written records and documents that support your application as well as make a field visit to your agricultural operation. The CSP application includes your agricultural operation answers in the “CSP Self-Assessment Workbook and Illinois Supplements” and Tier, Category, and Subcategory.

Step 9: Receiving CSP Payments

After your CSP contract is signed and finalized, the first year CSP payment will be made. The NRCS field office will notify you when signatures are needed, allowing you to receive your first CSP payment. Payments will be made by September 2008.

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