Conservation

Stewardship
Program
for Soil Health
No one knows more about
Have you ever your land than you do, and
Is CSP for You?
looked across no one knows more about CSP helps you build on your existing conservation efforts
conservation than we do. while strengthening your operation. Whether you are
your land Together we can develop a looking to improve water efficiency, increase crop yields,
and thought plan tailored to your operation or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP
about some and your goals to help you plan to help you meet those goals. We can help you
increase productivity and schedule timely planting of cover crops, develop a residue
operational protect the value of your land. management plan to improve soil health, implement no-till
management to reduce erosion or manage riparian areas in a way that
The Conservation
goals you Stewardship Program (CSP)
benefits wildlife habitat. If you are already taking steps to
improve the condition of the land, chances are CSP can
would like to offers an opportunity for help you find new ways to meet your goals. CSP contracts
take to the agriculture producers to are for five years, with the option to renew for another five.
enhance their agricultural
next level? operations while adopting
Maybe we can conservation activities that Types of Assistance
help. can reduce energy use,
improve soil health, and NRCS provides free technical assistance to agricultural
improve water quality. CSP producers. To participate in CSP and receive financial
can help you plan and implement conservation practices assistance, producers must control or own the land and
and enhancements that address natural resource concerns be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland
on your operation. conservation requirements, and have current farm records
with USDA Farm Service Agency. Learn more at www.
What’s New? nrcs.usda.gov/farmbill.
Ag producers continue to benefit from all that CSP has
to offer. There are a number of enhancements for ag
producers to improve soil health. Examples of enhancement The Next Step
options available to ag growers include cover crops to
To learn more about CSP opportunities, producers should
improve soil health and productivity, buffers to enhance
contact their local USDA service center and set up an
water quality and water management activities to improve
appointment with NRCS staff. A Local Service Center
water efficiency.
Directory is available online at www.nrcs.usda.gov, then
The new CSP provides adaptive management options to click “Contact Us.” You can also visit our CSP page online
better respond to market and weather conditions, allowing at www.nrcs.usda.gov/CSP.
participants to choose enhancements that best fit their
unique circumstances.

Natural 
Resources 
Conservation 
Service
nrcs.usda.gov
Conservation Stewardship Program for Soil Health
CSP Enhancements for Soil Health
Natural Resources,
Biodiversity & Buffers
• Conservation Cover
• Critical Area Planting
• Field Border
• Hedgerow Planting
• Herbaceous Weed
Control
• Riparian Buffer
• Wildlife Habitat
FAQ
How can I find out if I am
eligible?
The best way to determine
eligibility is to contact your local
field office.You must meet Adjusted
Gross Income (AGI) requirements
and have a Farm Tract Number
with FSA. Land already enrolled
in some USDA Farm Bill programs,
such as CRP and some easement
programs, may not be eligible.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
(This is not an exhaustive list.)
Pest Crops, Soil & Water
Management
• Conservation Cover • Conservation Cover
• Cover Crops • Cover Crop
• Crop Rotation • Residue and Tillage
• Pollinator Habitat Management
• Integrated Pest • Reduced Till
Management • Irrigation Water
• Upland Habitat Management
Management • Mulching
• Nutrient Management
• Riparian Buffer
• Filter Strip
• Forage and Biomass
Planting
frequently asked questions
resource, that can result in what
Is there a minimum
number of acres needed we refer to as a resource concern.
to be enrolled? Examples of resource concerns are
No, but entire operation must be erosion, degraded water quality,
enrolled. and plant health.
Is there a minimum What are
contract payment? “enhancements?”
Yes, $1,500 annually. Enhancements are management
activities that go above and beyond
What are “resource the minimum practice requirements
concerns?” helping the producer achieve a
NRCS conservation specialists higher level of conservation.
conduct resource inventories on
agricultural land to evaluate natural What are “bundles?”
resources including soil, water, air, Bundles are suites of conservation
plant, and animal resource bases enhancements designed to address
to determine their condition. If multiple resource concerns. Bundle
there is a cause or threat to that options are offered at a higher
payment rate.
Livestock & Wildlfie
• Brush Management
• Manage Livestock
Access to Water
Sources
• Wildlife Corridor
Development
• Grazing Management
to Improve Wildlife&
Soil Health
• Forage Harvest
Management
• Bird Habitat
Development
• Pollinator and/or
Beneficial Insect
Habitat Development
Do I have options to pick
the enhancements that
are best suited for my
operation?
Yes. The variety of CSP practices
that are offered give you a lot of
freedom to select enhancements
that help you meet your
management goals.