The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners from the Pacific Islands Area for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on conservation efforts while strengthening their operation can apply for technical and financial assistance through CSP.
While USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts CSP applications year-round, Pacific Islands Area producers and landowners should apply by February 24, 2023, to be considered for funding in the current cycle.
State Technical Committees, composed of conservation and agricultural-related agency and organization representatives, work with NRCS to identify resource priorities and how best to address them. NRCS then sets state-specific, ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding.
NRCS offers CSP in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and CNMI in the Pacific Islands Area though continuous signups. The program provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience to adverse weather. CSP is for working lands, including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under Indian tribe jurisdiction.
Additionally, existing CSP participants may have an opportunity to renew their contracts in the first half of the fifth year of their five-year contract through a competitive application process.
Special provisions are available for historically underserved producers, which include those considered beginning, socially disadvantaged and limited resource as well as military veterans.
Find eligible practices in the Pacific Islands Area and practice payment amounts at Payment Schedules | Natural Resources Conservation Service. Payment rates for conservation practices are reviewed and set each fiscal year for the state.
Contact your local Service Center to set up an in-person or phone appointment. On farmers.gov, you can create a secure account, apply for NRCS programs, electronically sign documents and manage your conservation contracts.
Original source can be found here.
