Story by: Rebecca Gresham, Public Affairs Specialist, Lubbock, TX

The Kitten Land Company, located in the southern High Plains of Texas near Lubbock, has been a participant in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for the last ten years. Jumping at the opportunity to be a part of a program that helped offset the ever-increasing operating cost of farming, Nick Kitten teamed up with the local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Office (NRCS) office to curate a bundle of enhancements that fit the family operation.

“The enhancements we’ve signed up for and applied have all made good sense, it’s all things we should have been doing anyways,” stated Nick Kitten, member of Kitten Land Company. 

From changing management by planting cover crops, using different conservation tillage methods, and nutrient management to getting precise measurements of fertility applied to crops and nutrient values through soil and plant tissue testing, Kitten Land Company is taking great strides to improve the natural resources on their cropland. 

In the southern High Plains, making every drop of irrigated water count is critical. CSP enhancements such as installing soil moisture probes and smart pivot controls, have further improved the efficiency of every inch of water applied at Kitten Land Company.

“All the enhancements we’ve applied through this program have improved efficiency on our farm and helped us to further conserve our natural resources across our operation,” said Nick. “We’ve found great value in the Conservation Stewardship Program and hope to continue our participation.”

CSP is the largest conservation program in the United States. CSP participants like Nick Kitten see real results on their operation from their conservation efforts. 

NRCS recently announced a national batching date of Jan. 15, 2026, for the first round of funding for key conservation programs, including CSP. Call or visit your local NRCS office today to find out more about CSP and how it can benefit your operation.