Sustainable Agriculture

On June 3rd, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA published the final regulations governing the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP is a voluntary program that offers payments to producers who exercise good land stewardship and want to improve their conservation performance.

Vilsack also announced that the enrollment period for CSP's second year, which is currently open, has been extended an additional two weeks, now closing June 25, 2010.

Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), CSP is available to all producers regardless of operation size, crops produced, or geographic location. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private forest land, and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. Under the final rule published today and effective immediately, the program retains the broad features outlined in the interim final rule, including:

• CSP pays participants for conservation performance – the higher the performance, the higher the payment.
• Producers get credit both for conservation measures they have already implemented and for new measures they agree to add.
• CSP is offered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-up, with announced cut-off dates for ranking and funding applications.

The experience gained during the program's first year, and comments received from partners and the public during the 90-day public comment period, have contributed to a number of important changes in the program rules. The program's new features include the following:

• Higher payment rate for additional conservation performance. USDA is implementing a split payment structure, with one payment rate for existing conservation activities and a higher payment rate for new activities. This is expected to encourage producers to apply more new activities and thereby generate greater environmental benefits.
• Higher payment limit. The total contract limitation for joint operations is increased from $200,000 to $400,000, with annual payment limits increased from $40,000 to $80,000 to fairly compensate joint operations that produce environmental benefit levels needed to earn the payments.
• New minimum payment. To directly encourage participation by small-scale, historically underserved producers, the rule establishes a minimum payment of $1,000.
• Pastured cropland. "Pastured cropland" is added as a new designation with a higher payment than "pastureland" because of the greater income foregone by producers who maintain a grass-based livestock production system on land suitable for cropping.
• Enhancements. Some conservation enhancements work better when implemented as a system and under the new rule are offered as enhancement "bundles." Participants who implement such comprehensive bundles get higher rankings and higher payments.
• Resource-conserving crop rotation. In response to extensive public comment, the definition of "resource-conserving crop rotation" is revised to require the use of grass and/or legumes. Since resource-conserving crops receive supplemental payments under CSP, the rule change ensures that the crops provide a sufficient level of environmental benefit.

Other changes in the regulation give producers greater flexibility in establishing their eligibility to apply for CSP and in certifying their control of the land.

Potential applicants are encouraged to use the CSP self-screening checklist to determine whether CSP is suitable for their operation and apply prior to the closing date of June 25, 2010, when applications will be scored, ranked, and funded. The checklist, which highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations, and payments, and additional information about CSP, may be obtained from the national CSP Web site ( www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html) or individual state NRCS offices ( www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html).

USDA published the CSP interim final rule on July 29, 2009, and solicited comment through October 28, 2009. Initially scheduled to end on September 28, 2009, the comment period was extended to encourage comments throughout the program's first enrollment period. NRCS received 1,534 comments and reviewed and considered each one. Responses to the comments are incorporated in the final rule released today. The final rule can be viewed at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-12699.pdf

Vermillion County farm showcases benefits of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

The Green family farm in Fithian, Illinois has been in production for almost 120 years.  They manage 800 acres of no-till corn and soybeans, forests, prairies, and wetlands located in scenic Vermilion County and have been protecting their natural resources for generations. A Conservation Farm Tour will be held at 10 AM on June 2, 2010 to showcase Green’s operation and discuss CSP details with interested private landowners and producers.

Owner, Kevin Green has participated in conservation programs for many years. He manages his wildlife and wetlands through USDA’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).  He also participates in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Rural Forest Landowner Assistance Program that offers cost-share and assistance to manage forest land, and works with numerous other programs that assist with soil and water management activities on his operation.

According to Kevin Green, “Managing my natural resources is a top priority. I also serve on the local Soil and Water Conservation District board and I am the past chair of the local Pheasants Forever chapter.” With so many conservation practices in place on his farm, Kevin was happy when the NRCS’ Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) came out in 2009. 

Devin Brown, Conservation Policy Advocate with the Illinois Stewardship Alliance says “CSP is designed for landowners who have a history of managing their soil and water resources with grassed waterways, filter strips, and hedgerows and who want to do even more.”

“Kevin is an extremely conservation-minded individual and a motivated producer.  He has many valuable conservation practices in place on his land and participates in numerous conservation programs.  CSP is a perfect fit for Kevin,” says Glen Franke, NRCS District Conservationist for Vermilion County.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), administered by USDA NRCS, is a voluntary conservation program designed to encourage agricultural and forestry producers to adopt additional conservation practices and improve, maintain and manage existing ones.  Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie, improved pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private forestland, and agricultural land.

Remarking on the benefits of CSP, Green said, “Using CSP has allowed me to develop new grassed waterways, windbreaks, and riparian field borders.”

NRCS, in cooperation with the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, will sponsor a Conservation Farm Tour at the Green family farm on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.  The tour will consist of:

- A tour Kevin Green’s beautiful farm, highlighting conservation practices

- A light lunch with refreshments

- A discussion of the Conservation Stewardship Program’s incentives, eligibility requirements, and conservation benefits

The Green Family Farm’s address is 17938 N 680 E Road, Fithian, IL 61844

Directions: from I-74, take exit 206 toward Oakwood.  Turn right on Newton Rd for ½ mile. Turn left on 1800 North for 2 miles. Turn right on 680 East. Take the first driveway on the right.

According to Franke, “Many landowners in Vermilion County—and within our whole region--could benefit from CSP.  Farmers who practice conservation tillage, have grassed waterways to control erosion where they are needed, filter strips to protect streams or other water bodies on their farms, and manage their nutrients should apply.”

The Conservation Stewardship Program is now available statewide through continuous enrollment with announced cut-off application dates for ranking periods.  The next ranking cut-off for 2010 sign-up is June 11, 2010.  To learn if CSP is right for your operation, join us at Kevin Green’s Farm, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html, or call your local NRCS office.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance is a statewide membership that promotes ecologically sustainable, economically viable, socially just local food systems through policy development, advocacy and education

NRCS: Helping People Help The Land. USDA NRCS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Meeting on Thursday, June 3 on the benefits of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Southern Illinois farmers, ranchers, and wood lot owners are invited to an informational meeting on Thursday, June 3 on the Conservation Stewardship Program.  The meeting will be held at the City of Harrisburg, Pruett Building, 107 East Church Street in downtown Harrisburg from 11:00 to 1:00.  Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), administered by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is a voluntary conservation program designed to encourage agricultural and forestry producers to adopt additional conservation practices and improve, maintain and manage existing ones.  Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie, improved pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private forestland, and agricultural land.

Producers who enroll and are accepted receive a 5 year CSP contract with a payment cap of $200,000.   In 2009 Illinois had 175,298 acres enrolled in CSP, which totaled over $4 million in payments to farmers, ranchers, and forest owners.  However, few Southern Illinois Counties showed much interest in the program.

“A lot of farms in Southern Illinois are diverse.” says Devin Brown, Conservation Policy Advocate with the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.  “Many of these farms have some forest, some pasture, some crop land, and most already manage their land for erosion, water quality, and nutrients.  Because CSP includes so many conservation practices and land uses, it could really work well for farmers down in this part of the state.”

“I manage my forests for health, productivity, and wildlife habitat.” says Josh Brown of Jackson County who received a 2009 CSP contract.  “CSP payments help with the cost of invasive species control, timber stand improvement, and erosion control.”

“CSP encourages enhanced conservation, but also rewards landowners with a history of land stewardship.” says Troy Daniell, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Southern Illinois.  “It promotes sustainable agricultural ecosystems by improving water quality, air quality, and energy conservation.” 

Commenting on CSP sign-up, Robert Mount of Johnson County says “I have forest, crop land, and hay land enrolled in CSP.  The sign-up went pretty smooth.  As long as you keep good records, it is straight forward.”

The Conservation Stewardship Program is now available statewide through continuous enrollment with announced cut-off application dates for ranking periods.  The next ranking cut-off for 2010 sign-up is June 11, 2010.  To learn if CSP is right for your operation, come to the informational meeting June 3rd, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html, or call your local NRCS office.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance is a statewide membership that promotes ecologically sustainable, economically viable, socially just local food systems through policy development, advocacy and education

                                                                                                                                                             NRCS: Helping People Help The Land. USDA NRCS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a working lands conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance to farmers who practice soil and water conservation, promote wildlife habitat, encourage carbon sequestration, and conserve water and energy.  Since CSP sign-up is nation-wide, it has the potential of enhancing water quality in every watershed within the US.  CSP encourages active conservation of working lands, thereby keeping land in production while conserving natural resources.   

In President Obama’s budget released February 1, 2010, over 769,000 acres will be permanently removed from CSP, which is the equivalent to nearly 14 million dollars that won’t go to farmers.  It is up to our representatives to block this threat to conservation and ensure that the mandatory funding that was established by Congress remains intact.

The message is simple:  Please thank Senator Durbin for his past support and ask him to protect the full funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) with no limitations placed on its funding as passed in the 2008 Farm Bill.

It’s easy to write or call. Below are Senator Durbin’s address, fax and phone numbers.  Simple letters in your own words are best. (Faxing to Congress is more reliable than U.S. mail.)  If you can’t write, please call and ask for his aide listed below.  If she is unavailable, please leave messages on her voice mailbox with your key points, name and phone number.

The Honorable Dick Durbin
United States Senate
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1304
Phone: (202) 224-2152
Fax: (202) 228-0400

Ask for Erin Collinson

Talking points:

• You live in Illinois.  You seek full funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program as passed in the 2008 Farm Bill.  CSP’s financial and technical assistance helps farmers and ranchers nationwide implement sound conservation systems that improve soil, water, and ecosystem health.  The Farm Bill provides mandatory funding for CSP.  It is crucial that funding authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill be fully protected!

• CSP rewards innovative and proactive stewardship practices, while keeping farmers and their land in production. Assistance applies to the full spectrum of working agricultural lands, from cropland to pasture to rangeland.

For more information on the Conservation Stewardship Program contact:
Devin Brown
Conservation Policy Advocate
devin@ilstewards.org
618-771-0237

On February 23rd, 2010, at 6:30pm in the Carnegie Room of the Lincoln Library Main Branch in Springfield, Illinois Stewardship Alliance will be co-sponsoring with the Sierra Club Sangamon Valley Group a showing of the new short film Big River: A King Corn Companion.

Following the film Stacey James, Water Resource Scientist with Prairie Rivers Network will be on hand to discuss the impacts of agriculture run-off to water quality in Illinois.

Big River is a follow-up to the Peabody Award-winning documentary King Corn. King Corn told the story of two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that enabled a fast-food nation. Big River picks-up where King Corn left off. Big River investigates and explores the environmental impact that the one acre of corn from King Corn has on the people and places located downstream. Big River documents and explores the impact chemical-intensive agriculture has on the water quality from the heartland to the Gulf of Mexico.

Agribusiness… It’s in the Water

Is your Illinois-based organization interested in hosting a showing of Big River in your community?  Contact Wes King, 217-528-1563, wes@ilstewards.org.