USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting 2023 CSP Applications through March 31, 2023

Farmers and landowners have until March 31, 2023, to apply for funding consideration during the 2023 USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Classic enrollment period. Producers in portions of Greene, Craighead, Lawrence, and Jackson counties will also have the opportunity to apply for CSP in the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI)-West Craighead project area.”.

CSP offers additional opportunities to expand on existing conservation efforts by offering conservation practices, enhancements, bundles, and other conservation activities.

“The Conservation Stewardship Program continues to be a very effective tool for private landowners working to achieve their conservation and management goals,” said Mike Sullivan, Arkansas NRCS state conservationist. 

While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications including the NRCS-CPA-1200 and maps that identify and delineate the boundaries of all eligible land uses and acres included in the operation to their local NRCS office by March 31, 2023, to ensure their applications are considered for 2023 CSP Classic funding. Applicants are encouraged to work with NRCS and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to complete eligibility requirements at their earliest convenience during the application process. 

CSP is offered in Arkansas through continuous sign-ups. The program provides many benefits including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience to weather extremes. CSP is for working lands including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of a tribe.  

For additional information about CSP, contact your local USDA Service Center https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.