June 11, 2010 will be the next deadline for ranking applications to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), according to the Wildlife Management Institute.

CSP was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. It was designed to maintain and increase conservation activities on tribal and private croplands, pasturelands, rangelands and non-industrial forestland in all 50 states by offering payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their lands and incorporate additional land and water stewardship in their operations. Enrollment in CSP is currently limited to 12.7 million acres per year.

CSP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in consultation with State Technical Committees. In addition to handling the administrative and financial aspects of the program, NRCS also will provide technical assistance to landowners interested in participating in CSP.

During his announcement of the upcoming deadline, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack noted, "Voluntary conservation practices by producers are an essential part of our effort to improve soil and water quality. Broad and diverse participation in the CSP program will provide producers with many benefits such as enhancing wildlife habitat and helping to mitigate the impact of climate change."

Enrollment opportunities for CSP are provided on a continuous basis with announced deadlines for ranking applications. Applicants compete for funding within each state based on that state's ranking criteria. Potential applicants are encouraged to use the CSP self-screening checklist to determine if the program is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices or on the NRCS website. (pmr)