USDA extends CSP deadline to February 7

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has extended to Feb. 7 the deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program.

CSP, now in its fifth year, emphasizes conservation performance by providing higher payments to agricultural producers who achieve high levels of conservation. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources and energy use. Nationally, NRCS has partnered with producers to enroll more than 59 million acres into CSP. In Missouri, 3,281 farmers and ranchers have enrolled about 1.7 million acres.

While local NRCS offices accept CSP applications year round, NRCS evaluates applications during announced ranking periods. To be eligible for this year's enrollment, producers must have their applications submitted to NRCS by Feb. 7.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if the program is suitable for their operations. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, stewardship threshold requirements and payment types.

To download the CSP self-screening checklist or to learn more about CSP, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov or the local USDA service center at 417-667-8137 ext 3.