USDA Increases Minimum Annual Payment for Conservation Stewardship Program
BOISE, Nov. 27, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is increasing the minimum annual payment for agricultural producers participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) from $1,500 to $4,000 starting in fiscal year 2024. The increase addresses challenges faced by small scale, underserved, and urban producers and improves equity in the program by making participation more financially beneficial for smaller operations. The new minimum payment is available for CSP Renewal, Classic and CSP-Inflation Reduction Act in Idaho.
“Increasing the minimum payment to CSP participants regardless of the size of their operation helps to make participation worthwhile for a larger number of producers,” said Bruce Sandoval, Acting State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho, “By broadening the appeal of CSP, we can further expand implementation of Inflation Reduction Act funding for conservation programs.”
CSP offers technical and financial assistance to help agricultural and forest producers take their conservation efforts to the next level. The program is designed to compensate agricultural and forest producers who agree to increase their level of conservation by adopting additional conservation activities and maintaining their baseline level of conservation.
Examples of CSP enhancements that may be suitable for being adopted by smaller scale or urban producers could include:
- Planting multi-species cover crops,
- Mulching with natural materials in specialty crops for weed control,
- Nutrient Management, and
- Establishing pollinator habitats.
How to Apply
NRCS accepts producer applications for its conservation programs year-round, but producers interested in this cycle of Inflation Reduction Act funding should apply as soon as possible. Applications will be taken on a continuous basis, but producers interested in EQIP are encouraged to apply by April 5, 2024 or CSP are encouraged apply by March 1, 2024. Funding is provided through a competitive process and will include an opportunity to address the unmet demand from producers who have previously sought funding for climate-smart conservation activities.
For more information about assistance available, contact your local USDA Service Center.
Inflation Reduction Act and CSP
Currently, an unprecedented amount of funding is available for CSP through the Inflation Reduction Act. NRCS recently announced it increased the number of Climate-Smart Agricultural and Forestry Mitigation Activities eligible for Inflation Reduction Act funding for fiscal year 2024 through CSP. To learn more, download the fact sheet.
More Information
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
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