Many producers know that conservation helps keep their ranches and farms resilient. However, the path to adopting sound environmental practices might not be clear for farmers and ranchers new to federal cost-share programs.
Thanks to working lands conservation programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), farmers and ranchers can receive financial and technical assistance to improve their natural resources—soil, water, and wildlife habitat—without taking land out of production.
A set of information guides developed by the Center for Rural Affairs detail two of the flagship working lands programs—the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). These resources answer a range of questions, from “Am I eligible to apply for a cost-share program?” to “Can I participate if I rent the land I farm?”
In addition to helping producers interested in conservation learn more about CSP and EQIP, the guides offer practical insight on the application process and working with local NRCS offices.
The fact sheets, available in both English and Spanish, can be downloaded at cfra.org/publications. For more information, email kaleeo@cfra.org or call 402.687.2100 ext. 1022.
