The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has several fiscal year 2023 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key programs, such as the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). This program helps you build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.
Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, NRCS can custom design a CSP plan to help meet your goals. It all starts with identifying natural resource problems in your operation and then they can provide technical and financial assistance to solve those problems or attain higher stewardship levels in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.
NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts, using new conservation practices or activities, based on management objectives for your operation. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that expands on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their ag operations.
CSP offers annual payments for implementing these practices on your land and operating and maintaining existing conservation efforts. And if you want to take it a step further, CSP also offers bundles where you can select a suite of enhancements and receive a higher payment rate.
NRCS accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round. If you are interested in applying for assistance, contact them at your local USDA Service Center.