[Riverweb] 2008 Conservation Security Program Sign-up

[csmith at prairierivers.org]

We apologise for any cross-postings

News Release


For Immediate Release: March 25, 2008


For more information contact: Jody Christiansen, Public Affairs (217)
353-6627




USDA NRCS State Office

2218 W. Park Court

       Champaign, IL 61821
www.il.nrcs.usda.gov



       USDA OPENS 2008 CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM SIGN-UP;

Landowners in Lower Cache Watershed Eligible for Program



Champaign, IL March 24, 2008-Producers in the Illinois' Lower Cache
Watershed are among those invited to participate in the 2008 sign-up for the
Conservation Security Program (CSP). According to Illinois Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Bill Gradle, the sign-up
period will be open from April 18 thru May 16, 2008.



"After two years of waiting for CSP to be available in the Lower Cache
Watershed," said Gradle, "we are pleased to say it is finally here."  While
conservation incentive programs and technical assistance to farmers and
ranchers date back to the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s, CSP represents the
first time agricultural producers are rewarded for their ongoing stewardship
and long-term conservation commitment.



According to Gradle this is the fourth year that CSP is made available on
private agricultural land in every state and the Caribbean. With this
sign-up, CSP will be made available to approximately 64,000 potentially
eligible farms and ranches in 51 watersheds covering more than 23.7 million
acres nationwide.



To prepare agricultural producers for this program, Gradle says NRCS will
hold workshops within the Lower Cache Watershed.  "We hope most of the
eligible producers interested in CSP will have a chance to attend a workshop
and get a first-hand explanation of the goals and requirements associated
with the program," Gradle said.  The workshops explain levels, or tiers, of
participation for the program and the basic conservation requirements that
must be met to qualify for CSP.



"All successful applications begin with landowners demonstrating how they
currently protect soil and water quality," says Gradle.  "This would
typically mean managing a farm or ranch using a variety of conservation
practices such as conservation tillage, pest and nutrient management, crop
rotation, cover crops and vegetative buffers." However, Gradle says most CSP
participants will go beyond the minimum requirements and work to further
enhance soil and water or improve wildlife habitat.



To apply, interested applicants should first complete a self-assessment of
their farming operation. Assessments will be available at the workshops
(dates and locations to be announced) or can soon be obtained in hard copy
from USDA Service Centers in the watershed area. The self-assessment and
other program information may be also accessed at
<http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp>
http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.



NRCS ~ Helping People Help the Land




***PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS***

Cecily Smith
Policy and Outreach Specialist
Prairie Rivers Network
1902 Fox Drive, Suite G
Champaign IL 61820
217.344.2371