Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Under the Farm Bill’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), NRCS helps producers maintain and improve existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resource concerns. CSP pays for conservation performance – the higher the performance, the higher the payment. CSP provides annual payments for installing new conservation activities and maintaining existing practices; and supplemental payments for adopting a resource-conserving crop rotation. Practices include cover crops, filter strips, riparian buffers, and wetland wildlife habitat management.
Farm Eligibility
Does not specify
Illinois
Multiple practices. Contact your local NRCS office.
Not applicable
Money Matters
CSP payments are made as soon as possible after the start of each fiscal year, for activities completed in the previous fiscal year. However, participants may choose to receive payment in the first quarter of the fiscal year (usually in the Nov/Dec timeframe) or delay their payment until the next calendar year (usually Jan/Feb).
Varies by activity (practices and enhancements)
Refer to program category descriptions for general stackability potential. Reach out to the program contact for more information.
Not applicable
Contracting Info
5 years
Basic farm information, field boundaries, crop history, and resource concerns. Most USDA programs require you to have an FSA farm and track number.
Support is typically provided by the local SWCD or NRCS office.
Most publicly funded programs have specific establishment and maintenance requirements that are provided by SWCD / NRCS.
Technical Info
Local NRCS office
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
