Pella —
Iowa farmers interested in signing up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) should submit applications to their local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office by Jan. 13, 2012, to be considered for eligibility during the first ranking period of 2012.
Through CSP, NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to eligible producers who conserve and enhance soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. The program provides many conservation benefits including improvement of water and soil quality, wildlife habit enhancements and adoption of conservation activities that address the effects of climate change.
“CSP continues to be a good opportunity for conservation farmers to try new practices while receiving payments for their past achievements,” said Richard Sims, state conservationist for Iowa NRCS.
Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. Participation in the program is voluntary.
An updated CSP self-screening checklist is available to help potential applicants determine if CSP is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices and on the Iowa NRCS website at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ConservationStewardshipProgram.html.
As part of the CSP application process, applicants work with NRCS field personnel to complete a resource inventory using the Conservation Measurement Tool (CMT). The CMT determines the conservation performance for existing and new conservation activities. The applicant’s conservation performance will be used to determine eligibility, ranking and payments.
Through the 2011 CSP signup, Iowa farmers in 93 counties enrolled more than 368,000 acres in CSP, helping to improve water and soil quality, enhance wildlife habitat and address the effects of climate change. Iowans received an average of $29 per acre during the 2011 CSP signup. Average payments depend on land use, existing stewardship and new stewardship practices.
To apply or to find out more about CSP, visit your local USDA Service Center or go online to www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov.
Agriculture
December 16, 2011
Conservation Stewardship Program Applications due by January 13
- Agriculture
-
- FSA announces DCP/ACRE Sign-up
- Fair Board plans money move
-
Supervisors approve grant application
The Marion County Secondary Road Department is seeking a grant for a feasibility study regarding future transportation needs for Knoxville and Pella.
-
Seed lawns now Miller says
Don’t expect it to green up later
-
Cost share funds now available for cover crops
Assistance is limited to $25 per acre
-
Marion County included in ag disaster declaration
Fee estimates that 60 percent of his crops can be saved
-
Emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres authorized for Marion County
Haying activities must be completed by Aug. 31
- Marion County crops suffering in drought, heat
- 2012 Parade of Champions - Marion County Fair
-
Northey encourages farmers to update information
List provides information of both Buyers and Sellers of Iowa Hay and Straw
- More Agriculture Headlines
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
