IL conservation applications have Feb. 3 cutoff

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced the submission deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2023 is Feb. 3, 2023. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $12.1 million for new CSP contracts in fiscal year 2023 in Illinois.

CSP is a financial assistance conservation program which helps agricultural and forestland producers take the conservation activities on their farm to the next level. “CSP continues to be a very effective tool for producers working to achieve their conservation and management goals,” said Dozier.

While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by February 3, 2023, to ensure their applications are considered for 2023 funding.

CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased input costs, wildlife habitat improvements, and increased resilience to weather extremes. CSP is for working lands including cropland, pastureland, and nonindustrial private forest land. CSP helps agricultural and forestland producers build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening their entire operation.

Producers interested in CSP should submit a signed application (NRCS-CPA-1200 form) to the local NRCS field office or through thefarmers.gov website using their account. A blank NRCS-CPA-1200 application form may be obtained from the local office. Producers wishing to use farmers.gov, can sign in or create an account by clicking on “Sign up” in the upper right of the website.

CSP applications submitted by February 3, 2023 will be evaluated by the local NRCS field office staff. NRCS staff will work with applicants to assess their land and resource concerns, answer ranking questions, and determine program eligibility. If an application is ranked high enough to be funded, NRCS staff will work with the applicant to develop a contract.

For additional information about CSP, contact your local USDA service center or visit Conservation Stewardship Program – Illinois | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov)

Special conservation projects in Marshall-Putnam counties

Dozier announced USDA NRCS will offer funding in Marshall and Putnam counties for the Mississippi River Basin Big Bend Enhancing Water-Soil-Habitat Quality project through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS has partnered with the Marshall-Putnam Soil and Water Conservation District to help producers address resource concerns such as degraded water quality and soil erosion.

roducers can apply for assistance through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) which allows producers to build on their existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation through special conservation activities that are offered. The project focus is to improve water quality in Marshall and Putnam counties.

Financial assistance will be available to eligible producers whose land is located in Marshall and Putnam Counties. While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit a signed application (NRCS-CPA-1200 form) to the local NRCS field office, or through the http://www.farmers.gov website using their account, by the cutoff date of Feb. 3, 2023, to ensure their applications are considered for 2023 funding.

A blank NRCS-CPA-1200 application form may be obtained from the local office or on the Illinois NRCS website. Producers wishing to use farmers.gov, can sign in or create an account by clicking on “Sign up” in the upper right of the website.

To see if you are eligible to participate in the program, producers should contact their local NRCS field office or visit the Illinois NRCS website at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov.

— Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service