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The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.
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Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals. We can help you identify natural resource problems in your operation and provide technical and financial assistance to solve those problems or attain higher stewardship levels in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.
How It Works
If you are already taking steps to improve the condition of the land, chances are, CSP can help you find new ways to meet your goals.
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 agricultural operations.
For example, if you have been planting a cover crop, you may decide to try an enhancement for a multi-species cover crop or implement a deep-rooted cover crop to break up soil compaction and further improve the health of your soil.
CSP offers annual payments for implementing these practices on your land and operating and maintaining existing conservation efforts. 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.
Benefits
CSP is for working lands and is the largest conservation program in the United States. Thousands of people voluntarily enroll in the program because it helps them enhance natural resources and improve their business operation.
CSP participants are seeing real results. Some of these benefits include:
- Enhanced resiliency to weather and market volatility
- Decreased need for agricultural inputs
- Improved wildlife habitat conditions
Conservation at Work Videos
You can watch how farmers and ranchers across the country are implementing CSP activities and other conservation activities in our Conservation at Work video series. For example, see how producers are using the cover crop conservation practice to improve soil health, water efficiency, reduce use of fertilizer and improve pest control.
CSP Contracts
The program represents a genuine commitment to conservation – CSP contracts are for 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. An NRCS conservation planner will work closely with you, throughout the entire contract process.
Contract payments are based on two components:
- Payments to maintain the existing level of conservation, based on the land uses included in the contract and an NRCS assessment of existing stewardship at the time of enrollment, and
- Payments to implement additional conservation activities.
Most participants will be eligible for a $4000 minimum payment during any year that their total annual contract payment falls below the minimum payment amount.
CSP Renewals
Existing CSP participants may be eligible to renew their contract for an additional 5-year term during the fifth year of their initial contract. Participants who have met the terms of their initial contract and who agree to implement more conservation activities can compete for a renewal contract. To meet the renewal stewardship threshold, the participant must agree to meet or exceed two additional priority resource concerns or agree to adopt or improve conservation activities to achieve higher levels of conservation for two existing priority resource concerns.
Enhancements and Bundles for Renewals
Fiscal Year 2024 Enhancements and Bundles with Kansas Supplement Information
Technical Assistance
NRCS offers technical assistance at no cost. Producers can use our personalized advice and information, based on the latest science and research, to make informed decisions about their land.
Technical Service Providers (TSP) can help producers plan, design and implement conservation practices or develop conservation activity plans to improve their agricultural operations. For more information on the Technical Service Provider program, visit the TSP page.
Technical assistance is also offered through our Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) program
Need a local Technical Service Provider? Visit the locate a TSP page.
How To Get Started
The first step in the process, is to notify NRCS of your interest in CSP. Then a conservation planner will schedule a visit to your property. During that visit, they will walk the land with you to discuss and review any resource concerns. Following the site visit, the conservation planner will develop a conservation plan that includes a variety of conservation practices, activities and enhancements to improve the level of conservation benefit and to address the resource concerns.
Applications for NRCS conservation programs are accepted on a continuous basis. However, application ranking dates are set at key times throughout the year.
- Find application ranking dates for your state.
- See payment schedules for your state.
- See application.
CSP Fact Sheet:
Is CSP Right For Me? (922.1 KB)
Kansas CSP General Information
Applications submitted by September 9, 2024 will be evaluated to be considered for funding in fiscal year 2025. Applications received after that date will be accepted and evaluated for future rounds of funding.
Enhancements and Bundles
For more information on CSP enhancements and bundles, please visit our Enhancements and Bundles page.
Conservation Stewardship Program - Inflation Reduction Act (CSP-IRA)
CSP-IRA applications should include a potential participants entire operation. Participant will select activities intended to address Climate Smart, Carbon Sequestration and Air Quality concerns on their operation. For more information, see the fact sheet that highlights the common activities that NRCS can help you implement on your operation.
CSP Act Now Funding Opportunities
CSP IRA Ag Land Renewal
CSP IRA Ag Land Renewal
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) applications in the CSP IRA Ag Land funding category include Cropland, Rangeland, Pasture, Farmstead and Associated Ag Land (AAL) land uses. All CSP IRA applications will be assessed through the Act Now process. They are ranked according to location, historically underserved status (Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, etc.) and Resource Concern Categories met at the time the application is submitted to the local NRCS office.
The following Ranking Pools will be available for Fiscal Year 2025 and the threshold is shown below the ranking pool name.
- KS FY25 CSP IRA Ag Land Renewal Area 01 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 01 applications is 70 points.
- KS FY25 CSP IRA Ag Land Renewal Area 02 (Includes Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 02 applications is 10 points.
- KS FY25 CSP IRA Ag Land Renewal Area 03 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 03 applications is 10 points.
- KS FY25 CSP IRA Ag Land Renewal Area 04 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 04 applications is 10 points.
CSP Ag Land Renewals
CSP Ag Land Renewals
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications in the CSP Ag Land funding category include Cropland, Rangeland, Pasture, Farmstead and Associated Ag Land (AAL) land uses. All CSP applications will be assessed through the Act Now process. They are ranked according to location, historically underserved status (Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, etc.) and Resource Concern Categories met at the time the application is submitted to the local NRCS office.
The following Ranking Pools will be available for Fiscal Year 2025 and the threshold is shown below the ranking pool name.
- KS FY25 CSP Ag Land Renewal Area 01 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 01 applications is 70 points.
- KS FY25 CSP Ag Land Renewal Area 02 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 02 applications is 10 points.
- KS FY25 CSP Ag Land Renewal Area 03 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 03 applications is 10 points.
- KS FY25 CSP Ag Land Renewal Area 04 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 04 applications is 10 points.
Non-Industrial Private Forest (NIPF)
Non-Industrial Private Forest (NIPF)
NIPF includes Forest Land, Farmstead and Associated Ag Land (AAL) for CSP contracts. The Farmstead and AAL land uses are optional to include in the application if the Farmstead and AAL are tied to the Cropland of the operator.
To determine whether the Forest Land offered for enrollment meets land eligibility criteria, NRCS must identify whether the land is “rural land” that “has existing tree cover or is suitable for growing trees” and whether the land is owned by “a nonindustrial private landowner.” The NRCS defines Forest Land as: land that is stocked by single-stemmed woody species or bearing evidence of natural regeneration of tree cover (cut over forest or abandoned farmland) and not currently developed for non-forest use.
The following Ranking Pools will be available for Fiscal Year 2025 and the threshold is shown below the ranking pool name.
The Ranking Threshold for KS FY25 CSP NIPF applications is 10 points.
The Ranking Threshold for KS FY25 CSP IRA NIPF application is 10 points.
CSP National Water Quality Initiative (CSP-NWQI)
CSP National Water Quality Initiative (CSP-NWQI)
The National Water Quality Initiative is a partnership among NRCS, state water quality agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to identify and address impaired water bodies through voluntary conservation.
NRCS provides targeted funding for financial and technical assistance in small watersheds most in need and where farmers can use conservation practices to make a difference. Conservation systems include practices that promote soil health, reduce erosion and lessen nutrient runoff, such as filter strips, cover crops, reduced tillage and manure management. These practices not only benefit natural resources but enhance agricultural productivity and profitability by improving soil health and optimizing the use of agricultural inputs. State water quality agencies and other partners contribute additional resources for watershed planning, implementation, and outreach. They also provide resources for monitoring efforts that help track water quality improvements over time.
The following Ranking Pools will be available for Fiscal Year 2025 and the threshold is shown below the ranking pool name.
- KS FY25 CSP NWQI
The Ranking Threshold for KS FY25 CSP NWQI applications is 10 points.
- NWQI Watersheds Map
CSP IRA Ag Land Classic
CSP IRA Ag Land Classic
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) applications in the CSP IRA Ag Land funding category include Cropland, Rangeland, Pasture, Farmstead and Associated Ag Land (AAL) land uses. All CSP IRA applications will be assessed through the Act Now process. They are ranked according to location, historically underserved status (Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, etc.) and Resource Concern Categories met at the time the application is submitted to the local NRCS office.
The following Ranking Pools will be available for Fiscal Year 2025 and the threshold is shown below the ranking pool name.
- KS FY25 CSP IRA Ag Land Area 01 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 01 applications is 70 points.
- KS FY25 CSP IRA Ag Land Area 02 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 02 applications is 10 points.
- KS FY25 CSP IRA Ag Land Area 03 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 03 applications is 10 points.
- KS FY25 CSP IRA Ag Land Area 04 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 04 applications is 10 points.
CSP Ag Land Classic
CSP Ag Land Classic
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications in the CSP Ag Land funding category include Cropland, Rangeland, Pasture, Farmstead and Associated Ag Land (AAL) land uses. All CSP applications will be assessed through the Act Now process. They are ranked according to location, historically underserved status (Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, etc.) and Resource Concern Categories met at the time the application is submitted to the local NRCS office.
The following Ranking Pools will be available for Fiscal Year 2025 and the threshold is shown below the ranking pool name.
- KS FY25 CSP Ag Land Area 01 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 01 applications is 70 points.
- KS FY25 CSP Ag Land Area 02 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 02 applications is 10 points.
- KS FY25 CSP Ag Land Area 03 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 03 applications is 10 points.
- KS FY25 CSP Ag Land Area 04 (Includes Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Organic Applications)
- The Ranking Threshold for CSP Ag Land Area 04 applications is 10 points.
Ready to get started?
Contact your local service center to start your application.
How to Get Assistance
Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?
Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.
To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.
NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.
We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:
- To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.
- To meet other eligibility certifications.
Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.
Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.
As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible. To do this, you’ll need to bring:
- An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)
- A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and
- A farm number.
If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.
NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State.
If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.
Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.
