VERMONT FARMERS INVITED TO HARVEST REWARDS FROM THEIR LAND STEWARDSHIP

Missisquoi Watershed farmers can sign-up for federal Conservation Security Program April 18 through May 16

COLCHESTER, VT (March 28, 2008) – Vermont farmers with land in the Missisquoi watershed and who practice good soil and water conservation are encouraged to contact their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to determine if they are eligible to sign-up for the conservation Security Program (CSP).  Sign-up begins April 18 and continues through May 16.

Approximately 700 farmers and nearly 171,740 acres of land in Vermont is potentially eligible for CSP this year. CSP is offered nationwide on a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows.

CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of private, agricultural working lands and rewards those producers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations.

Farmers are encouraged to call or visit their local USDA service center for additional CSP information; Locations are listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov or in the phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Call the St. Albans NRCS at 524-6505 (if you are located in Franklin County) or Newport NRCS at 334-6090 (if you are located in Orleans County).

Payments can include three components: 1) an annual stewardship component for the base level of conservation treatment, 2) an annual component for maintenance of existing conservation practices, and 3) an enhancement component for exceptional conservation effort.  Enhancement activities could include limited pesticide applications, renewable energy generation, and widening existing riparian forest buffers for restoring critical stream habitat.

To apply for CSP, NRCS asks potential participants to complete a CSP self-assessment workbook – available on the web or from local NRCS offices – to find out if their operation meets the requirements of the program and qualifies for program participation.

The self-assessment process is completed using a self-screening questionnaire for each land use to be enrolled.  When this process is completed, the producer submits the CSP workbook to the local NRCS office during the sign-up period and meets with NRCS personnel to go over any additional needed documentation.  NRCS will then determine if eligibility requirements are met and provide options for the producer’s decision on enrollment category placement.  Eligible land uses include but are not limited to cropland, hayland, pasture, and sugar bushes.

NRCS held the first CSP sign-up in 2004. This announcement brings the number of watersheds enrolled to 331 across the nation, covering 247.7 million acres that have been eligible for the program.

Find out more about this program at one of our 

Farmer Workshops Elks Lodge, St. Albans – April 14 – 10a to 12p Troy Elementary School Gym – April 15 – 10a to 12p

TIME IS SHORT – DON’T MISS THIS ONE TIME OPPORTUNITY TO ENROLL IN A NEW PROGRAM