The sign-up for the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) will continue through September 30^th, 2009. Applications received after September 30th will be considered for funding in 2010. Through this volunteer program, farmers must agree to maintain existing conservation practices and to do more conservation practices during the five years of the contract. The contract payment will be determined after an evaluation of all current practices, as well as enhancements. The national average CSP payment will be $18 per acre. Certain improvements to nutrient management practices related to nitrogen and phosphorus applications are valued under this system. Valued practices include:

More information on the benefits of these management practices can be found in Nutrient Application Guidelines for Field, Vegetable and Fruit Crops in Wisconsin (A2809), on our Soils Extension website (www.soils.wisc.edu/extension), or by contacting Matt Ruark (mdruark@wisc.edu, 608-263-2889). Detailed information on the NRCS program can be obtained by contacting your local NRCS office or at the following websites:

 

Conservation Stewardship Program

(http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/cstp.html)

 

2009 Enhancement Activity Job Sheets

(http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/2009_jobsheets.html)