Conservation Program Deadline Approaches

by Talk Business & Politics ([email protected]) 66 views 

The sign-up deadline for the United States Department of Agriculture Conservation Security Program is July 30. The USDA’s Center for Rural Affairs has set up a “hotline” to assist farmers at (402) 687-2100 or by visiting www.cfra.org.

The CSP falls under the 2002 Farm Bill that provided financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who adopt sustainable agriculture systems to troubleshoot their natural resource and environmental problems. The $41 million CSP program is administered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service and covers 18 designated watershed areas across the United States, including some in Arkansas.

Owners/operators or crop-share landlords with at least 51 percent of their farm or ranch land in one of the 18 watersheds may be eligible for assistance in the CSP.

About 27,300 farms and ranches are located within the watershed boundaries that cover more than 14 million acres in 22 states, 127 counties and 112 conservation districts.