CA NRCS California’s Conservation Stewardship Program Application Cutoff Date is Fast Approaching

DAVIS, Calif., March 7, 2025 - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California announced the cutoff for receiving application for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). While NRCS accepts applications for programs year-round, interested applicants should apply no later than April 1, 2025, for the application deadline to be considered for the 2025 program cycle. 

Applications are currently being accepted through April 1, 2025, at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. 

CSP provides eligible producers annual payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities integrated within their agricultural operations. CSP enhancements like cover crops, forestry management, livestock grazing management, irrigation water management, and ecologically based pest management help producers improve various natural resource conditions. Other CSP activities are available to help sustain and increase pollinator, wildlife, and beneficial insect habitats in harmony with the agriculture production and operation. 

Conservation Planning is at the core of NRCS mission and delivery. Interested applicants that meet the required eligibility criteria and CSP Program thresholds will work with trained NRCS staff to develop a Conservation Plan that best meets the needs of their agricultural operation. The CSP plan will take into account the past, current and future operational goals of the producer and aim to add CSP enhancements that improve identified resource concerns such as, but not limited to, soil health, water quality, water quantity, and forestry improvements. 

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.  Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today. 

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