Denise Coleman, PA State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Tuesday announced funding for farm producers and forest land operators to implement improved management practices is now available through the Conservation Stewardship Program.

Applications to request funding for 2016 contracts are being accepted through March 31, along with applications from current CSP participants whose contracts expire at the end of 2016.

CSP is USDA’s largest conservation program that helps producers voluntarily improve the health and productivity of private working lands. NRCS plans to add an estimated 10 million acres across the U.S. to the rolls of CSP during fiscal 2016.

Funding is available for more than 100 kinds of enhancements nationwide to help participants:

-- Improve soil quality through use of cover crops, conservation crop rotations and other activities that increase soil productivity.

-- Use water wisely and improve water quality through enhancements such as more efficient irrigation systems and weather monitoring.

-- Restore habitat for wildlife and pollinators through the use of better grazing systems and improved plant management.

“The Conservation Stewardship Program is one of our most popular programs with producers because it results in real change on the ground by boosting soil and air quality, conserving clean water and enhancing wildlife habitat,” Coleman said. “With this new funding, we’ll be able to build on the already record number of acres enrolled in USDA’s conservation programs, enabling producers to achieve higher levels of conservation and adopt new and emerging conservation technologies on farms and forests.”

Click Here for the full announcement.

For more information and to apply, visit or contact an NRCS Service Center near you.

3/14/2016