Land Stewardship Project Statement on Release of the Interim Final Rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program

July 29, 2009
The Land Stewardship Project welcomes the release of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Interim Final Rule by the USDA. Family farm and sustainable agriculture producers are encouraged by the release of the rule and look forward to an announcement of funding and the subsequent sign-up this fiscal year. Indications are that a sign-up for farmers and ranchers will be announced within the next month.

Passed in the 2008 Farm Bill over a year ago, farmers and ranchers are anxious to utilize the revamped CSP on their farms in order to maintain, establish and increase conservation. CSP, a voluntary working lands conservation program, represents a substantial shift and new approach to how our nation supports agriculture producers by placing emphasis on positive conservation outcomes produced by both new and existing stewardship practices that farmers use.

Previously called the Conservation Security Program, CSP is now available to all agricultural producers, regardless of where they live or what they are producing. With a substantial increase in program funding—$12 billion over the next 10 years—and with the goal to enroll nearly 13 million acres per year, the new CSP has the opportunity to have a much greater impact on the land and in our communities.

Agriculture clearly is a contributing factor to many environmental problems facing communities around the country: excessive soil erosion, impairment of surface waters, expansion of the dead zone, pervasive flooding and global warming, to name few. CSP, properly implemented by USDA and embraced by farmers and ranchers, has the opportunity to be a systematic solution to resolving and addressing some of those pressing environmental concerns. Yet only through successful implementation and usage can CSP reach its full potential.

Prior to and during the CSP sign-up, the Land Stewardship Project urges the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to run an effective campaign of promotion and outreach to encourage all farmers and ranchers to evaluate CSP and determine if it can work for their particular operation. Many family farm and conservation groups stand at the ready to partner and assist NRCS in making CSP a successful, mainstay tool in the suite of conservation programs available to farmers and ranchers.

While further analysis of the rule and delivery mechanisms is required, the Land Stewardship Project is hopeful CSP can level the playing field for conservation-minded producers, provide incentives for transitioning to more sustainable and proven conservation farming systems, and begin to rectify the heavy tilt against stewardship that has long been present in federal farm policy.

To view the Interim Final Rule for CSP, go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-17812.htm.

If you have additional questions on CSP, contact Adam Warthesen at the Land Stewardship Project by calling 612-722-6377 or emailing adamw@landstewardshipproject.org.

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