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Are you a farmer, rancher, or forest landowner already using conservation practices on your land?

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is designed specifically to reward producers like you for the environmental stewardship you’re already demonstrating, while also providing support to take your conservation efforts even further.

This program recognizes that good land management protects natural resources and offers financial and technical assistance to maintain and enhance those efforts on working agricultural and forest lands across the United States. If you’ve invested time and effort into conservation, CSP offers a way to get recognized and compensated for that commitment.

What is CSP?

The Conservation Stewardship Program is a cornerstone voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Its primary purpose is to encourage agricultural and forest producers to maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities that address priority natural resource concerns. Unlike some programs that focus primarily on fixing existing problems, CSP is built on rewarding ongoing stewardship and helping producers achieve higher levels of conservation performance.

CSP targets producers—including farmers, ranchers, and nonindustrial private forest landowners—who are already implementing a baseline level of conservation. This includes individuals, legal entities, joint operations, and Indian tribes who manage eligible land types such as cropland, grassland, pastureland, rangeland, and nonindustrial private forest land. The program operates on working lands, meaning the land remains in productive agricultural or forestry use while enrolled.

As the largest conservation program in the United States based on acreage, CSP has enrolled tens of millions of acres of productive agricultural and forest land. It provides both technical assistance, leveraging NRCS expertise, and financial assistance through five-year contracts to help producers enhance natural resources like soil, water, air, plants, and animal habitats, ultimately improving their operational sustainability and resilience.

Getting Paid for What You Already Do

A defining feature that sets CSP apart is its direct financial recognition of the conservation work producers are already doing before they even enroll. The program is explicitly designed to reward agricultural producers who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship by implementing and maintaining conservation practices on their own initiative. This philosophy acknowledges the value of producers’ existing efforts in protecting shared natural resources.

CSP provides annual payments specifically to help participants maintain this baseline level of conservation. This payment component is based on an NRCS assessment of the existing stewardship activities and the number of resource concerns being met at or above the required “stewardship threshold” at the time of enrollment.

The types of existing conservation practices that contribute to meeting these baseline requirements are diverse and reflect sound land management. Examples include:

  • Soil Health Practices: Cover cropping, no-till or reduced tillage systems, diverse crop rotations.
  • Grazing Management: Rotational or prescribed grazing systems that improve forage and soil health.
  • Water Quality Protection: Buffer strips (like filter strips or riparian buffers) along waterways, nutrient management strategies.
  • Pest Management: Ecologically-based approaches to pest management.
  • Forestland Management: Implementing practices according to a forest management or stewardship plan, such as prescribed thinning or planting.

Essentially, if you have already integrated conservation into your operation, whether through NRCS assistance or independently, CSP offers a mechanism to receive payments for sustaining those valuable activities.

Are You Eligible?

Participation in CSP requires meeting specific eligibility criteria for both the producer and the land they operate.

Producer Eligibility

  • Applicant Type: Applicants can be individuals, legal entities (like corporations or LLCs), joint operations, or Indian tribes.
  • Control of Land: Applicants must have effective control of the land being enrolled for the entire 5-year contract period. This can be through ownership or rental/lease agreements. If land is rented, proof of control (like a lease or statement from the landowner) may be required.
  • Farm Records: Applicants must be listed as the operator, owner, or tenant in the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm records management system. Establishing farm records with FSA is a prerequisite if not already done.
  • Compliance: Applicants must be in compliance with federal Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions.
  • Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): Applicants must meet the AGI requirements, currently having an average adjusted gross income of $900,000 or less, unless the applicant is an Indian tribe or Alaska Native entity.
  • Identification: Applicants need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Land Eligibility

  • Eligible Land Types: CSP covers private and tribal agricultural lands, including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, grassland, and nonindustrial private forest land. Associated agricultural lands (like farmsteads) and certain public lands under the applicant’s control can also be eligible. There is generally no minimum acreage requirement.
  • Entire Operation: CSP typically requires enrolling the entire agricultural or forestry operation under the applicant’s control.
  • Active Production: Land must generally be in active agricultural or forest production. Land being cleared or prepped for future production is usually not eligible until production is established.
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The Stewardship Threshold Requirement

A critical eligibility component unique to CSP is the “stewardship threshold”. This concept is central to the program’s focus on rewarding existing conservation.

  • Definition: The stewardship threshold represents an adequate level of conservation performance for a specific natural resource concern (like soil erosion, water quality, or wildlife habitat) as defined by NRCS technical standards. These standards are often found in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG).
  • Requirement: To be eligible for CSP, an applicant must already be meeting or exceeding the stewardship threshold for at least two priority resource concerns on every eligible land use included in their operation at the time of application. Priority resource concerns are those identified as most critical for a particular state or region.
  • Future Commitment: In addition to meeting the baseline, applicants must also agree to meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for at least one additional priority resource concern on at least one land use by the end of the 5-year contract.

Determining if an operation meets these thresholds is done during the application assessment process with an NRCS conservation planner. This requirement ensures that CSP targets producers who have already demonstrated a significant level of conservation management.

Historically Underserved Producers

CSP includes provisions to encourage participation from historically underserved producers, including beginning farmers and ranchers (BFR), socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDA), limited resource farmers and ranchers, and veteran farmers and ranchers. Specific funding pools, potentially higher ranking consideration, and advance payment options may be available for these groups. The 2018 Farm Bill mandated set-asides of CSP funds specifically for BFR and SDA producers.

Navigating the Application

Applying for CSP involves several steps, requiring collaboration with NRCS staff to document your existing conservation efforts and plan future activities.

The Application Process

The general process follows these steps, though specifics might vary slightly by state:

Step 1: Make a Plan / Contact NRCS

The first step is to contact your local USDA Service Center and express interest in CSP. An NRCS conservation planner will discuss your operation, goals, and schedule a site visit.

Step 2: Start an Application

NRCS staff will guide you through the application paperwork. This typically involves Form NRCS-CPA-1200, the standard application for conservation programs. You’ll also need to ensure your farm records are established with the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Step 3: Check Eligibility & Assessment

NRCS verifies your producer and land eligibility (AGI, land control, HELC/WC compliance). The crucial part here is the on-site assessment where the NRCS planner evaluates your existing conservation practices and determines if you meet the stewardship thresholds for priority resource concerns.

Step 4: Rank Your Application

Once eligibility and thresholds are confirmed, you’ll work with the planner to select additional conservation activities (practices, enhancements, or bundles) for your contract. NRCS then uses a ranking process to prioritize applications based on the level of existing stewardship and the environmental benefits offered by the planned additional activities, considering national, state, and local priorities. Applications are typically ranked within specific pools (e.g., by land use, geographic area, or applicant type like BFR).

Step 5: Implement Your Plan

If your application ranks high enough for funding, you’ll be offered a contract. If you accept and sign the contract (Form NRCS-CPA-1202), you agree to maintain your baseline stewardship and implement the chosen additional activities according to the contract schedule over the 5-year period.

Documenting Existing Practices: The Role of Assessment

The assessment phase is where your existing conservation system is formally evaluated and documented for CSP eligibility and payment calculations. NRCS uses the Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool (CART) for this process.

  • CART Function: CART helps planners assess site vulnerability, existing conditions, and resource concerns using geospatial data, client information, and field observations. It provides a standardized framework for evaluating whether the stewardship threshold is met for various resource concerns.
  • Planner Collaboration: The NRCS planner works directly with you, discussing your management system and observing conditions on the ground to gather information for CART. You may be asked specific questions about your practices related to different land uses (cropland, pasture, forestland, etc.) to feed into the assessment.
  • Outcome: The CART assessment documents your baseline conservation level, determines eligibility based on meeting thresholds for at least two resource concerns per land use, and provides data used in ranking and calculating the payment component for maintaining existing activities.

Application Timing and Assistance

  • Continuous Sign-up: CSP applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year at local NRCS offices.
  • Ranking Periods: However, NRCS establishes specific batching or ranking periods (typically once per year per state/pool) to evaluate and fund applications. Submitting an application well before the state’s announced ranking deadline is crucial for consideration in that funding cycle. Check with your local office for specific dates.
  • Getting Help: Your primary resource for assistance is your local USDA Service Center, which houses NRCS staff. They provide one-on-one guidance throughout the process. The Service Center Locator is available online.
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Required Documentation

When applying, especially if new to USDA programs, you’ll likely need to provide documentation to FSA and NRCS, including:

  • Proof of identity (driver’s license, SSN/EIN)
  • Proof of control of land (deed, lease agreement)
  • Business documentation if applying as an entity (articles of incorporation, partnership agreement)
  • FSA forms (like AD-1026 for HELC/WC compliance, CCC-941 for AGI certification, potentially others like CCC-901/902 for entities)
  • NRCS application form (NRCS-CPA-1200)
  • Maps of the operation showing land uses and acreage

How CSP Payments Work

CSP provides annual payments over the five-year contract period, structured to reward both existing stewardship and new conservation efforts. Payments are typically made after October 1st each year for activities maintained and implemented during the previous fiscal year.

The Two Payment Components

CSP contract payments are calculated based on two distinct parts:

Existing Activity Payment (Payment for Maintaining Existing Conservation)

This annual payment compensates participants for the baseline level of conservation stewardship they had in place at the time of enrollment. It’s calculated based on:

  • The assessment of existing stewardship levels conducted by NRCS (using tools like CART)
  • The number of resource concerns already being met at or above the stewardship threshold
  • The eligible land uses (e.g., cropland, pasture, forestland) included in the contract and their acreage
  • State-specific payment rates associated with land uses and stewardship levels

Additional Activity Payment (Payment for Implementing New Activities)

This annual payment is for implementing new conservation practices, enhancements, or bundles of activities agreed upon in the contract. Payments for these activities are based on:

  • Costs incurred (planning, installation, management)
  • Income forgone, if any
  • Expected conservation benefits
  • Payment rates established by NRCS for specific practices and enhancements, which can often be found in state payment schedules. Bundles (groups of enhancements) and certain high-priority activities like advanced grazing management or resource-conserving crop rotations may receive higher payment rates.

The combination of these two components makes up the total annual CSP payment. This structure directly reflects the program’s dual goals: rewarding past actions while incentivizing future improvements.

The $4,000 Minimum Annual Payment

A significant update effective Fiscal Year 2024 is the increase in the minimum annual payment for new and renewed CSP contracts from $1,500 to $4,000. This means that if the calculated total annual payment (existing activity payment + additional activity payment) for a participant is less than $4,000 in any given year of the contract, they will receive $4,000 for that year.

This policy change was implemented to improve equity and make the program more financially viable and appealing, especially for smaller-scale operations, diversified farms, urban producers, and historically underserved producers who might otherwise have very low calculated payments based solely on acreage or activity levels. This $4,000 floor provides a more substantial baseline incentive for participation.

Contract Details: Term, Renewals, and Limits

  • Contract Length: Standard CSP contracts last for five years.
  • Renewals: Participants who successfully complete their initial 5-year contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives can compete for a contract renewal for another five years. Renewal typically requires agreeing to meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for two additional priority resource concerns or adopting activities to achieve higher performance levels for two existing priority resource concerns.
  • Payment Limitation: There is a limit on the total amount of payments a person or legal entity can receive through CSP. For contracts entered into under the 2018 Farm Bill authority (Fiscal Years 2019-2023 and likely continuing), the maximum payment is $200,000 per 5-year contract. This limit applies to the total received over the five years, not annually, and includes payments received both directly and indirectly (e.g., through ownership in an entity). While this averages to a potential maximum of $40,000 per year, actual annual payments can vary based on the implementation schedule of new activities. Reaching this cap typically requires significant acreage or high levels of conservation activity.

CSP Payment Quick Facts

FeatureDetail
Contract Length5 Years
Payment FrequencyAnnual
Minimum Annual Payment (New/Renewed Contracts FY24+)$4,000
Maximum Total Payment per 5-Year Contract (per person/entity)$200,000

Note: Payment details are subject to program regulations and may vary. Always confirm specifics with your local NRCS office.

The Environmental Payoff

While the financial incentives are important, the ultimate goal of CSP is to foster enhanced environmental stewardship on working agricultural and forest lands. The conservation practices maintained and adopted through CSP deliver tangible benefits for soil, water, wildlife, and the overall resilience of the farm or ranch operation.

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Healthier Soils

Many CSP activities directly target soil health improvement. Practices like cover crops, no-till or reduced tillage, diverse crop rotations, and prescribed grazing help to:

  • Reduce soil erosion from wind and water
  • Increase soil organic matter, which improves soil structure and fertility
  • Enhance water infiltration and retention, making more water available for plants and reducing runoff
  • Improve nutrient cycling within the soil
  • Support a more diverse and active soil microbial community

NRCS offers extensive resources on soil health principles and practices, available at NRCS Soil Health Basics and NRCS Soil Health Management.

Cleaner Water

CSP plays a vital role in protecting and improving water quality. By encouraging practices that reduce runoff and filter potential pollutants, CSP helps keep sediment, nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers or manure), and pesticides out of streams, rivers, and lakes. Key practices include:

  • Establishing and maintaining riparian buffers (strips of grasses, shrubs, or trees along waterways)
  • Using filter strips to trap sediment and contaminants
  • Implementing nutrient management plans to apply fertilizers more precisely
  • Utilizing cover crops and reduced tillage to minimize erosion and nutrient loss
  • Managing irrigation water efficiently

Some CSP efforts may also specifically target source water protection for drinking water supplies.

Thriving Wildlife

Agricultural and forest lands provide critical habitat for many wildlife species. CSP helps producers maintain and enhance these habitats. This can involve:

  • Planting specific trees, shrubs, or herbaceous cover that provide food and shelter for wildlife, including pollinators like bees and Monarch butterflies
  • Managing grazing or forest lands in ways that benefit specific species or create diverse habitat structures
  • Establishing wildlife corridors to connect habitat areas
  • Implementing wildlife-friendly practices, such as modifying fencing or adjusting harvest timing

Initiatives like Working Lands for Wildlife often leverage CSP to achieve habitat goals for targeted species.

Building Resilience

The cumulative effect of improved soil health, better water management, and increased biodiversity often leads to agricultural operations that are more resilient to environmental challenges. Healthier agroecosystems can better withstand stresses like drought, heavy rainfall, and temperature extremes. This environmental resilience can also contribute to greater economic stability by reducing risks associated with weather volatility.

Operational Co-Benefits

While the primary focus is environmental, many CSP practices offer potential operational advantages. These can include decreased need for inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, fuel (due to less tillage), or irrigation water; potentially increased crop yields or improved livestock weight gains; and overall enhanced sustainability and efficiency of the operation. This demonstrates how conservation stewardship can be integrated into a productive and profitable business model.

Resources to Learn More and Apply

Ready to explore CSP further or begin the application process? Here are key resources:

Official NRCS CSP Webpage

The primary source for national program information, fact sheets, and links to state-specific details is the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program page. Many states have dedicated CSP pages accessible through this national site.

Your Local USDA Service Center

This is the most critical point of contact. NRCS staff at your local office provide personalized guidance, determine eligibility, explain local resource priorities and ranking pools, assist with the application, and help develop your conservation plan. Given the site-specific nature of the assessment and planning, working directly with local staff is essential. Find your nearest office using the USDA Service Center Locator.

Helpful NRCS Materials

  • “Is CSP Right For Me?” Guide: This resource includes a self-screening checklist to help you assess potential eligibility: Is CSP Right For Me?. PDF versions are often available.
  • CSP Enhancements and Bundles: Explore the list of additional conservation activities available through CSP: CSP Enhancements, Bundles and Supplemental and CSP Enhancements and Bundles. State-specific lists or activity sheets may also be available.
  • State Payment Schedules: These documents detail the financial assistance rates for specific practices and enhancements in your state. They are typically linked from state NRCS CSP pages.
  • CSP Success Stories: See real-world examples of how producers are using CSP. Look for links on the main CSP page.
  • Farmers.gov: This USDA portal serves as a broader resource hub for producers.

Other Resources

Some non-governmental agricultural and conservation organizations also publish guides and information about CSP (e.g., National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association). While potentially helpful, always verify details and program requirements with official NRCS sources, as program rules and payment rates can change.

Engaging with CSP requires accessing both general information online and specific, localized guidance from NRCS experts. By utilizing these resources, particularly your local USDA Service Center, you can effectively determine if CSP is the right fit for rewarding and advancing the conservation efforts on your operation.

Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.

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