NRCS ANNOUNCES SIGN UP PERIOD FOR THE NEW CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP)

August 10 through September 30  - The new CSP pays landowners who have already addressed at least one resource concern on their entire agricultural operation for agreeing to further improve their natural resources by undertaking additional resource enhancement activities. An example of already addressing one resource concern includes not having any readily observable erosion or point sources of contamination such as gullies, manure runoff or pesticide runoff at the farm headquarters, barnyards, manure storage facilities, landing sites, or sugar houses. To be eligible, the entire agricultural operation needs to be enrolled. If you have both agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland, you will need to submit an application for each land type. You must also have up to date records on file with the Farm Service Agency. The 2009 CSP sign up will begin on Monday, August 10, 2009 and will end on Wednesday, September 30th. Applications received after this date will be considered for 2010 enrollment.

For more information visit the Vermont Conservation Stewardship Program website.