Myth Busters: Common Misconceptions about the Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is sometimes misunderstood. It is perceived by some as complicated or not for small operations, and neither of those perceptions is true. CSP is designed to help you take your existing conservation efforts on your operation to the next higher level while maintaining your current ones. It’s supposed to help you add to what you’re already doing, either by enhancing your current practices or adding new ones.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works one-on-one with you to develop a conservation plan under CSP to implement these additions or enhancements and help strengthen your operation.

Under CSP, you receive annual payments to help you maintain your existing conservation efforts and enhance them using new conservation practices or activities. CSP contracts last five years, with the opportunity to compete for a contract renewal if you successfully fulfill the initial contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives.

As Deputy Chief for Programs at NRCS, I’ve had the chance to work with producers, as well as NRCS employees, explaining how CSP works and how the program can enhance conservation and strengthen an agricultural operation.

As I said, though, CSP is often misunderstood, so here are a few “myths” about the program that I want to dispel.

Myth #1: The deadline to apply for CSP in my state has already passed, so I don’t need to think about applying until next year.

Don’t wait to apply! We accept applications year-round, but funding decisions are made locally at specific times and that “ranking date” may be coming up soon in your area. If we already have your application, it will be considered at the next ranking date. Plus, if you start planning now, you will be ready for application ranking dates as they approach. See program application ranking dates for all states at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ranking-dates.  

Myth #2: Enrolling land in CSP is complicated and time-consuming. 

If you have a farm and tract number (available from USDA’s Farm Service Agency) and have kept good farm records, you’re already well on your way. You just need to complete a three-page NRCS-CPA-1200 form, see Applications and Forms. You can even complete this form online if you create a farmers.gov account at https://www.farmers.gov/account.  

Myth #3: My farm is too small to qualify for CSP. 

CSP has no minimum acreage requirement. Regardless of operation size, there is a minimum annual payment of $4,000 for all CSP contracts. 

Myth #4: I have an active EQIP contract, so I can’t apply for CSP.

Eligible land may be enrolled in both EQIP and CSP programs at the same time as long as the programs don’t cover the same practices.  You may not be compensated for the same practices at the same time under both programs (no double dipping).

Myth #5: The new per-acre payment rates for CSP haven’t been set yet. 

The current payment rates are $7.50/acre for cropland and pastured cropland, $3/acre for pasture, $1/acre for rangeland and 50 cents/acre for forest and associated ag land. However, the minimum annual payment is $4,000, regardless of per-acre totals. 

Myth #6: I’m not listed as the operator of record on my farmland, so I can’t apply for CSP.

Operator of record status is not mandatory for all acres, but tenants need to secure a waiver from USDA before applying.   Contact your local field office, and they can step you through the waiver process.

Myth #7: The CSP commitment of five years makes me ineligible because some of my leases are for shorter time periods.

If you have some land that is not under your control for the entire contract period (five years) you may leave that land out of the application, while other land can be included if it is owned or under lease for at least five years.

Myth #8: EQIP pays more than CSP.

Not necessarily. We can calculate your payments to help you decide which program makes more sense for you. CSP contract payments are based on two components: Existing Activity Payments (EAP) and Enhancement Payments.  EAPs cover every acre in the contract to maintain the existing level of conservation based on an assessment of the stewardship at the time of enrollment. Enhancement Payments are made to implement additional conservation activities to reach a higher stewardship threshold. In addition, there is a minimum annual payment of $4,000 for all CSP contracts, regardless of operation size. It’s also important to remember that no conservation program is designed to pay every bill. Some level of cash outlay from producers may be necessary. 

Myth #9: I’m farming some new land that I can’t enroll until my current five-year CSP contract expires.

Additional land can be enrolled in any year if it’s not already covered by an existing CSP contract. 

Myth #10: I’ve already addressed all my resource concerns, so I don’t need CSP.

CSP pays participants for existing conservation measures as well as for new ones. Even if resource concerns are met, you may select enhancements to take your land management to the next level. NRCS staff can visit and conduct an assessment on available options for you that could pay big dividends. 

For more information about CSP, see Conservation Stewardship Program and Is CSP Right for Me?

If you are interested in signing up for CSP, contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center, and they can assist with your needs. We have about 2,300 Service Centers across the country. Find one near you. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center  

Karen Woodrich is Deputy Chief for Programs with NRCS.