For Immediate Release
Date: March 24, 2008

Contact:
Jody Christiansen, Public Affairs Specialist (217) 353.6627

USDA OPENS 2008 CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM SIGN-UP;
Landowners in Lower Cache Watershed Eligible for Program

Champaign, IL—Producers in the Illinois’ Lower Cache Watershed are among those invited to participate in the 2008 sign-up for the Conservation Security Program (CSP). According to Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Bill Gradle, the sign-up period will be open from April 18 thru May 16, 2008.

“After two years of waiting for CSP to be available in the Lower Cache Watershed,” said Gradle, “we are pleased to say it is finally here.” While conservation incentive programs and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers date back to the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s, CSP represents the first time agricultural producers are rewarded for their ongoing stewardship and long-term conservation commitment.

According to Gradle this is the fourth year that CSP is made available on private agricultural land in every state and the Caribbean. With this sign-up, CSP will be made available to approximately 64,000 potentially eligible farms and ranches in 51 watersheds covering more than 23.7 million acres nationwide.

To prepare agricultural producers for this program, Gradle says NRCS will hold workshops within the Lower Cache Watershed. “We hope most of the eligible producers interested in CSP will have a chance to attend a workshop and get a first-hand explanation of the goals and requirements associated with the program,” Gradle said. The workshops explain levels, or tiers, of participation for the program and the basic conservation requirements that must be met to qualify for CSP.

“All successful applications begin with landowners demonstrating how they currently protect soil and water quality,” says Gradle. “This would typically mean managing a farm or ranch using a variety of conservation practices such as conservation tillage, pest and nutrient management, crop rotation, cover crops and vegetative buffers.” However, Gradle says most CSP participants will go beyond the minimum requirements and work to further enhance soil and water or improve wildlife habitat.

To apply, interested applicants should first complete a self-assessment of their farming operation. Assessments will be available at the workshops (dates and locations to be announced) or can soon be obtained in hard copy from USDA Service Centers in the watershed area. The self-assessment and other program information may be also accessed at http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.

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