News Release - Financial Assistance Available to Conserve Natural Resources

Release No. 122013                                                                                                                                                                              Contact:  Jeffrey Woods, 352-338-9515

            Gail Hendricks, 352-338-9560

For Immediate Release

Financial Assistance Available to Conserve Natural Resources

Conservation Stewardship Program Applications Due by June 14

Gainesville, FL., May 30, 2013 – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) financial assistance is available for applicants who apply by June 14, 2013.  The voluntary program allows producers to go the extra mile in conserving natural resources while also maintaining or increasing the productivity of their operations. Tribal, private agricultural producers and non-industrial private forest landowners should meet with their local NRCS staff as soon as possible to discuss eligibility.

“CSP is different than our other financial assistance programs,” said NRCS State Conservationist Russell Morgan.  “It offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. It’s about conservation activities on the entire operation, focusing on multiple resource concerns.”

Playing a significant part in conserving and improving our nation’s resources, producers enrolled an additional 12.1 million acres in CSP nationwide last year, bringing the total number of acres to more than 50 million.

Many of the CSP enhancements improve soil quality, which helps land become more resilient to extreme weather. Because of the extreme weather in 2012, more interest and participation in the cover crop enhancements is expected this year, according to NRCS experts. Several other improvements are available for producers, including intensive rotational grazing, intercropping and wildlife friendly fencing.

Although applications are accepted all year, farmers, ranchers and forestland owners interested in CSP should submit applications by June 14 to ensure they are considered for this year’s funding. The deadline was extended from May 31.

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

For the checklist and additional information, visit the CSP website http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp/ or visit your local USDA NRCS office. To find the nearest office go to your telephone directory under “U. S. Government, Department of Agriculture”, or http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance, and programs is available on the web at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA - NRCS office.

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