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USDA to Issue $23 Million in CSP Payments in IowaNovember 7, 2007 Des Moines--- Agriculture Department Acting Secretary Chuck Conner recently announced that nearly $257 million in Conservation Security Program (CSP) payments are being readied nationwide for contracts with eligible landowners and producers. “In Iowa that will amount to $23 million in payments to more than 2300 farmers and ranchers who are protecting their soil, water, air, fish and wildlife resources,” said Rick Van Klaveren, Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist for Iowa. Connor said, “USDA is pleased to recognize good stewardship practices and offer incentives to increase conserving uses through the Conservation Security Program, and we have proposed to do more, if Congress agrees.” “Our farm bill proposal has offered Congress a means to expand CSP enrollment to more than 96 million acres over the next ten years, rather than its current limit to selected watersheds.” The payments announced today are for current contracts in all 280 CSP watersheds, parts of nine are in Iowa. CSP contract holders will receive payment in full for the current Fiscal Year 2008 contract obligations and will be given the option of receiving their payment in calendar year 2007 or 2008. CSP program participants should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office so their payments can be processed. In preparation for the 2007 Farm Bill, USDA submitted a proposal that calls for substantial reform and improvement of the Conservation Security Program with a goal of conducting nationwide signups. Currently CSP is offered on a rotating watershed basis as funds are available. CSP is a voluntary program established as part of the 2002 Farm Bill to support ongoing conservation stewardship on private agricultural working lands and enhance the condition of the nation’s natural resources. For more information about CSP, please visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp or the nearest USDA Service Center. -30- Contact: |
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