News Release

CSP Funding Boost Provides More Opportunities for Missouri Farmers in 2016

Farmers have until March 31 to apply to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for voluntary assistance offered through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).  The deadline applies to farmers and ranchers new to the program and to those who signed CSP contracts in 2012 who want to renew those contracts for another five years.

“There is a great opportunity this year for farmers to participate in CSP,” State Conservationist J.R. Flores said. “The 2016 budget approved by Congress allows us to enroll significantly more acres into CSP than we were able to the past several years.”

In addition to allowing NRCS to fund up to 265,000 new acres, Flores said the budget allows the agency to renew all of the 413 CSP contracts that Missouri farmers and ranchers signed in 2012. Those contracts, covering 192,000 acres, will expire on December 31 if not renewed. Farmers may renew the contracts signed in 2012 on a non-competitive basis if they are willing to adopt additional conservation activities, such as improving water quality or soil health.

The 2014 Farm Bill offers farmers and ranchers a wider variety of options through CSP to address natural resource challenges. The full list of options applies to new and renewal applications. New conservation activities include testing the effects of cover crops on soil health, incorporating wildlife-beneficial management, and using innovative irrigation efforts to reduce water use. CSP pays participants for conservation performance — the better the performance, the higher the payment.

CSP applications for 2016 contracts can be submitted at local NRCS offices until March 31. More information about CSP is available on the NRCS website.