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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:
Stewardship to Add Nearly $2 Million to SC Economy Conservation Stewardship Program 2010 First Signup Report Released NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, Columbia, SC, July 19, 2010 – South Carolina State Conservationist Ann English today announced the results from the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) 2010 first sign up for South Carolina. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) final report reveals South Carolina enrolled a total of 170,157 acres of cropland, pastureland, and non-industrial private forestland into the program. That included over 51,000 acres of cropland, 9,000 acres of pastureland, and nearly 110,000 acres of non-industrial private forestland. Administered by NRCS, the CSP will add $1.9 million to the state’s economy from this first signup. “CSP is an opportunity tailor-made for our conservation-minded farmers on working farms and forest lands to continue to achieve even higher levels of conservation stewardship,” says English. Through CSP, contract holders get technical assistance and funding assistance for installing new conservation practices and adopting additional activities, and improving, maintaining, and managing existing activities. Nationally, 10,630 contracts were obligated enrolling over 12.6 million total acres. “In South Carolina, there are 268 contracts with farmers who are outstanding conservationists,” reports English. “We’re proud to be working with producers who are good stewards of our state’s natural resources–soil, water, air, plants and animals.” Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. Individuals, entities, and Indian Tribes operating agricultural or private non-industrial private forestland may be eligible for the program. “Since the 2010 signups are completed, farmers are advised to start preparing for the next funding opportunity which could happen with a signup this fall,” advised English. CSP is a continuous sign-up program so producers may contact their local NRCS office for an application at any time. The CSP self-screening checklist is available to determine if the new program is right for you and your business. Check with your local NRCS office or on the NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html. This year, NRCS is celebrating 75 years of helping people help the land. Since 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique partnership with state and local governments and private landowners delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests. Visit the SC NRCS website at www.sc.nrcs.usda.gov to locate the nearest USDA Service Center.
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