Conservation Stewardship Program

Program Description

The Conservation Stewards Program (CSP) is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to maintain existing conservation activities and adopt additional ones on their operation through financial and technical assistance.  The program is administered by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  CSP is available on a continuous signup basis and is available statewide.

Through CSP, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to eligible producers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, improved pastureland, nonindustrial private forest lands and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe.

CSP offers participants two possible types of payments:

·          Annual payment for installing and adopting additional activities, and improving, maintaining, and managing existing activities

·          Supplemental payment for the adoption of resource-conserving crop rotations

Funding Pools

Mississippi has established two geographical regions based on their priority resource concerns.  Each approved application will be funded based on the geographic region of the property offered in the program.

How to Apply

The CSP is offered through a continuous signup and applications received by 9/30/2009 will be considered for funding during the first ranking period.  Applicants interested in the program should look over the CSP Fact Sheet and CSP Producer Self-Screening Checklist provided below.  To apply for CSP or for more information, contact the NRCS office located at your local USDA Service Center.

CSP Self-Screening Checklist and Activity List

These files require Adobe Reader

2009 Conservation Stewardship Program Self-Screening Checklist (PDF; 98KB)
CSP Fact sheet (PDF; 44KB)
CSP Conservation Activity List (PDF; 35KB)

State Contact

Greg Brinson
Soil Conservationist
CSP Program Manager
(601) 965-5205, ext. 139
gregory.brinson@ms.usda.gov

For further information and assistance, contact your local NRCS Service Center.

If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Yolanda Jackson at 601-965-4139 ext. 166.

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