FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 31, 2009
For More Information Contact: Devin Brown, ISA Conservation Policy Advocate (618) 771-0237   www.ilstewards.org
                                                  Paige Buck, State Public Affairs Specialist, (217) 353.6606   www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

Public Meetings Inform IL Producers On New CSP
Attend Informational Meetings in Southern, Central, and Northern IL to learn more!

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold three public meetings to inform producers about the new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The public informational meetings will be held in:

The 2008 Farm Bill authorized the Conservation Stewardship Program for and agricultural and forestry producers. The Conservation Stewardship Program is now available statewide through continuous enrollment with announced cut-off application dates for ranking periods.

This program was announced August 10 by USDA officials. This is the first nationwide sign-up for this program. Farm and ranch operators will have until September 30 to apply for this first program enrollment at local NRCS offices.

According to Devin Brown, Conservation Policy Advocate for ISA, “Applying for CSP takes some prep work. These public meetings will help educate private landowners about what CSP requires, helping to streamline the application process.”
According to NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, Ivan Dozier, these public meetings will inform producers about the program and help them determine if CSP suits their operation.

NRCS administers CSP, a voluntary conservation program designed to encourage agricultural and forestry producers to adopt additional conservation practices and improve, maintain and manage existing ones. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie, improved pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private forestland - a new land use for the program - and agricultural land. Producers interested in applying for CSP may learn more about the program by viewing online information at www.nrcs.usda.gov/new_csp  or by visiting their local NRCS county office staff.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance is a statewide membership that promotes ecologically sustainable, economically viable, socially just local food systems through policy development, advocacy and education

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