Por Kate Hansen, ex miembro del personal
Se acerca rápidamente el plazo para que los agricultores y ganaderos soliciten su participación en el Programa de Administración de la Conservación (CSP). Las fechas límite varían según el estado, por lo que los productores interesados deben comunicarse con su oficina local del Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales (NRCS) lo antes posible y estar al tanto de los nuevos protocolos de seguridad implementados debido al coronavirus.
The deadline in Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota is May 29.
Administered by NRCS, CSP is a working lands conservation program that offers financial and technical assistance for producers to enhance conservation on their operations.
Farmers and ranchers work with their local NRCS office to develop an application for CSP. Together, they identify natural resource concerns on the operation, such as soil health and water quality. As part of the contract, they also select conservation practices that build upon the farmer or rancher’s existing conservation.
When considering applying for the program, it is a good idea for farmers and ranchers to think through how they would like to increase conservation on their operation. Popular CSP practices include cover crops, prescribed grazing, and conservation crop rotation.
CSP contracts are five years in length, and are eligible for renewal. The program is available for a variety of operations, including for farmers on rented ground, certified organic operations and small operations. The minimum annual payment under a CSP contract is $1,500.
Due to the coronavirus, NRCS will be conducting business by phone and email until further notice. Interested producers should call their local NRCS office and be prepared, if prompted, to leave a detailed message.
