Conservation Security Program (CSP) Production Incentive

Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in March 2005 a nationwide sign-up for the Conservation Security Program (CSP), which will be available to approximately 235,000 farmers and ranchers in 220 watersheds. The CSP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and other conservation purposes on tribal and private working lands. Working lands include cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pasture, and range land, as well as forested land that is an incidental part of an agriculture operation. Congress has funded the fiscal year 2005 CSP budget at $202 million. The 2005 CSP sign-up includes a renewable-energy component. Eligible producers will receive $2.50 per 100 kWh of electricity generated by new wind, solar, geothermal and methane-to-energy systems. Payments of up to $45,000 per year will be made using three tiers of conservation contracts, with a maximum payment period of 10 years. The 2005 CSP sign-up will be open from March 28, 2005, to May 27, 2005, in selected eight-digit watersheds in all 50 states and the Caribbean. Producers who have a current CSP contract are not eligible for this sign-up. To apply for CSP, potential participants are encouraged to complete a self-assessment workbook to determine if their operations meet the requirements of the program and qualify for program participation. Additional information on CSP, including eligible watersheds and the self-assessment workbook, is available at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.