Conservation Security Program 2007

Program enhances, restores ecosystems for threatened, endangered species

The Conservation Reserve Program (CSP), like all farm bill programs administered under the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is a voluntary program, but it has a unique twist; it rewards farmers who already meet the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their lands.

The second step of the CSP concept is to create a powerful incentive for other producers to meet those same standards of conservation, thus providing environmental benefits for generations to come.

Farmers are eligible to apply to the program on a rotating basis by watersheds. The watersheds are selected based on natural resources, environmental quality and agricultural activity data. The prioritization process for watersheds considers several factors, including the vulnerability of surface and groundwater quality, the potential for excessive soil quality degradation and the condition of grazing land within the watershed.

CSP is still a relatively new program; it just started in 2004. Arkansas was fortunate to be one of the first 22 states and 18 watersheds to test CSP in its initial year. The Arkansas farmers within the Little River Ditches Watershed, located in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas, proved deserving, with 83 contracts awarded to them.

In 2005, another 591 contracts were signed within the five watersheds of Cadron, Lower White / Bayou Des Arc, Lower Neosho, Lower St. Francis, and Little River Ditches. It was the only year where a watershed from the previous year was allowed to conduct a second application sign up.

The most recent round of CSP in 2006 brought in the Lower Arkansas Watershed in Arkansas, Desha, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke and Pulaski counties in Southeastern Arkansas. Contracts were awarded to 94 Arkansas farmers.

The program did not come to light in 2007. The proposed watershed for 2008 is the same as the proposed watershed for 2007: the Upper White-Village Watershed, including portions of Craighead, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, White and Woodruff counties.

CSP provides financial and technical assistance promoting conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, on Tribal and agricultural working lands. CSP is a farm bill program with a twist – it rewards agricultural producers for past and ongoing stewardship - rewarding the best and motivating the rest.

Arkansas CSP Quick Facts for 2007

Last Modified: 12/11/2007

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