WASHINGTON, March 12, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it is
accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) renewal applications through March 31 for over 11,000
contracts set to end this year. CSP is USDA’s largest working lands conservation program with more than 90
million acres enrolled.
“In fiscal year 2020, NRCS helped enhance 9.3 million acres of land enrolled in CSP,” said Terry Cosby, acting
Chief for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “CSP continues to prove its worth by
helping farmers and ranchers advance their business operations through conservation enhancements on their
land that sustain the natural resources that improve productivity and their bottom lines.”
Participants with existing CSP contracts that close on December 31, 2021, can benefit from recent program
changes by renewing their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional conservation
practices on their land. Applications to renew expiring contracts are due by March 31.
About the Program
CSP is for working lands, including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial forestland as well as tribal
lands. The program helps producers build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operations.
CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements
and resiliency to weather extremes. It also encourages the adoption of new technologies and innovative
management techniques.
Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining
and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, buffer strips, pollinator and beneficial insect habitat and
soil health activities while maintaining active agricultural production on their land.
Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill authorize NRCS to accept new CSP enrollments through 2023 and make
additional improvements to the program, including higher payment rates for specific conservation activities on
working lands.
More Information
Producers interested in contract renewals or applying for CSP for the first time should visit the CSP webpage
or contact their local USDA service center.
While USDA offices are currently closed to visitors because of the pandemic, Service Center staff continue to
work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. To conduct business, please contact
your local USDA Service Center. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for
producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
