AGRICULTURE Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that applications for fiscal 2013 signup of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) will be due by May 31.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide nearly $175 million in funding for up to 12.6 million additional acres of enrollment this year.
CSP is a conservation program for working lands. Many CSP enhancements improve soil quality, which helps land become more resilient to extreme weather. Several other improvements are available for producers, including intensive rotational grazing, intercropping and wildlife-friendly fencing.
While CSP enrollment is continuous, interested farmers, ranchers and forest land owners must complete the initial application form by May 31 to compete for a spot in the program's 2013 enrollment class.
Due to extreme weather in 2012, more interest and participation in the cover crop enhancements is expected this year, according to NRCS experts.
Volume:85 Issue:18