Apply by June 5 for assistance to expand conservation on farms
Delaware farmers and landowners are encouraged to sign up by Friday, June 5, for financial and technical assistance to expand existing conservation activities on their agricultural land.
Financial and technical assistance is now available through the updated Conservation Stewardship Program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
“CSP is an effective tool in assisting farmers who continue to set the bar high for conservation,” said Kasey Taylor, NRCS state conservationist in Delaware. “It is designed to help these land stewards achieve their management goals on their agricultural operation.”
Through the program, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, ecologically based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat – all while maintaining active agriculture production on their land.
Conservation Stewardship Program is for working lands including cropland, pastureland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of a tribe. Participating farmers will further address priority resource concerns related to soil quality, water quality, air quality and plant health. On-farm benefits include increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife population improvements, and better resilience to weather variables.
The 2018 Farm Bill made some improvements to the program that will benefit Delaware farmers, including higher payment rates for certain conservation activities, including cover crops and resource conserving crop rotations. It provides specific support for organic and for transitioning to organic production activities.
While applications are accepted throughout the year, the deadline is Monday, June 5, for funding in fiscal year 2020. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service members will work with producers to complete and submit applications over the phone.
For more information for producers, call 302-856-3990, Ext. 3, or go to www.de.nrcs.usda.gov.
