CSP Eligibility | Arkansas NRCS

Little Rock, Ark., May 14, 2004 – Farmers and ranchers with a majority of their land in the Little River Ditches Watershed in northern Arkansas and southeastern Missouri can sign up for the Conservation Security Program July 6-30. However, they first must complete self-assessment workbooks, which are available now at USDA service centers or online at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

CSP rewards leading-edge crop and livestock producers who already are applying conservation measures on their land. It is available during this inaugural sign up in 18 designated watersheds in the United States. The Little River Ditches watershed is the only eligible watershed in Arkansas. The watershed is located in Craighead, Mississippi, and Poinsett counties.

Nationally, the fiscal year 2004 CSP budget of $41.4 million will allow NRCS to write approximately 3,000 to 5,000 contracts ranging from five- to 10-years. Eligibility will be based upon a three-tier system. To be eligible under Tier 1, producers must have completed conservation measures relating to water and soil quality on part of their land. Under Tier 2, the measures must cover the entire farming operation, and producers must agree to address at least one other resource concern. Under Tier 3, all natural resource concerns must be addressed for the entire farming operation, with the producer agreeing to complete additional activities.

Maximum annual payment limits will be established for each tier. Cost-share funds also will be available for producers wanting to implement additional conservation measures that would make them eligible for a higher tier.

“The Conservation Security Program is designed to reward the best conservation farmers and motivate others to become even better stewards of the land,” says Arkansas State Conservationist Kalven L. Trice.

Trice says producers first should determine whether their land is within the Little River Ditches Watershed.

The accompanying map gives producers a general idea of where the watershed boundaries are. NRCS offices serving the watershed counties also have a more detailed map. Trice says producers wondering whether their property is in the watershed should contact their local NRCS office.

Trice says the next step is for producers in the watershed to get a copy of the self-assessment workbook.

The workbook serves two purposes: First, if producers are not eligible for CSP, the workbook can help them determine that early on so they don’t waste a lot of time going through the rest of the application process. Second, by completing the workbook, producers might learn about other conservation programs, practices, and funding available to preserve, protect and enhance natural resources so the next time a CSP sign-up comes to their watershed, they will have done what is necessary to make their operations eligible.

Producers who complete the workbook and believe they are eligible for CSP should contact their local NRCS district conservationist, who will help them through the application process. To contact the NRCS office serving your county, look in the phone book under “U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture,” or access this website: http://offices.usda.gov.

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It's time to determine eligibility for Conservation Security Program