USDA-NRCS Extends 2008 Conservation Security Program Sign-Up

Auburn, Ala, - May 7, 2008

NRCS Acting State Conservationist Zona Beaty announced today that the sign-up period for the FY2008 Conservation Security Program (CSP) has been extended until May 30, 2008. This will give producers two additional weeks to apply for the program in the Upper/Lower Choctawhatchee River Watershed. The watershed covers the following counties in South Alabama: Barbour, Henry, Dale, Coffee, Houston, and Geneva.

A sign-up extension announcement is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2008. Originally, the CSP sign-up was scheduled to run from April 18-May 16, 2008.

"USDA-NRCS recognized the inopportune timing of this year’s sign-up and that farmers and ranchers are busy in their fields. We wanted to give them as much time as possible," said Beaty. "USDA is extending the sign-up to allow producers adequate time to gather natural resource information and complete the required self-assessment and applicant interview."

CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of private, agricultural working lands and rewards those producers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations. "The purpose of CSP is to reward the best conservation farmers and encourage others to become better stewards of the land," said Beaty. This unique program offers payments in five to ten year contracts.

To apply for CSP, potential participants must complete a CSP self-assessment workbook available on the Web at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.

Once applicants have completed the CSP self-assessment workbook of their farming operations, they should contact the local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for an appointment.

For more information about CSP and eligibility requirements, please visit the Alabama NRCS CSP website.