Conservation Security Program (CSP) Program Application Details for New Jersey

New Jersey Farmers in the Raritan Watershed are eligible to apply for benefits through the Conservation Security Program in 2006!

• CSP Sign Up Period - February 13 through March 31, 2006
• Eligibility - Raritan Watershed 2006
• Self Assessment Workbooks
• Payment Information
• 2006 Enhancement Activities
• Press Releases about CSP
• National CSP Website
• En Español -  Programa de Seguridad para la Conservación - National
• En Español -  Programa de Seguridad Para La Conservación - New Jersey

Sign Up Period for CSP

These documents require Adobe Acrobat.
2006 CSP Program  - Federal Register Notice (1,867 kb) - announcement of program details including eligibility criteria, funding categories and application requirements  

Enrollment Categories (1,836 kb)

Information Sessions about Conservation Security Program

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conducted informational meetings about this new opportunity to assist applicants with sign-up preparation.

Slide Shows presented at CSP Informational Meetings
These documents require Adobe Acrobat.
2006 CSP Program Overview (532kb) 
Examples of 2006 CSP Contract Calculations (129kb)

Are you eligible to participate in CSP?

You may be eligible to participate in the new Conservation Security Program if you can answer “yes” to the following questions that apply to your farm operation.

• Do you share in the risk of producing crops or livestock on this operation? (Landlords who receive only cash payment for renting land are not eligible.)

• Do you have control of some or all of the land you manage for the life of the proposed 5- to 10-year contract period?

• Are you applying nutrients by field according to current soil test?

• Are you scouting for pests and using the information as a basis for applying pesticides for at least a portion of your operation that is cropped?

• Do you keep written records or documentation of your pasture management activities by field for at least a portion of land that is currently pastured?

• Do you rotate your crops or use reduced tillage methods to improve the soil condition?

If you have answered “yes” to the applicable questions, you may wish to consider contacting you local NRCS Service Center to find out what opportunities you may have through CSP.

Self-Assessment Workbooks Available

The Conservation Security Program uses self-assessment workbooks to help producers assess their conservation stewardship and their eligibility for CSP participation. You can download these or get copies by visiting any local NRCS Service Center. All applicants are required to fill out a workbook prior to scheduling an appointment at their local NRCS Service Center.

This document requires Adobe Acrobat.
2006 Self Assessment Workbook (1,702 kb)

NRCS will use the following tools to further assess your application as appropriate.

These documents require Adobe Acrobat.
2006 Water Quality Index - Cropland (15 kb)
2006 Water Quality Index - Pasture (31 kb)
Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (302 kb)
Wildlife Habitat Assessment Worksheet for Tier III-CROPLAND (including hay in rotation) (26 kb)
Wildlife Habitat Assessment Worksheet for Tier III-PASTURE (24 kb)

Payment Information

There are four payment options under CSP.

1. Stewardship Rates are paid for eligible contracts and are listed below.

2. Existing Practice payments are also automatically paid for eligible contracts at a rate of 25% of the Stewardship Rate.

3. New Practice payments are made for practices that are required to meet a higher tier category. Those payments rates are provided in the 2006 New Practice Cost Table below.

This document requires Adobe Acrobat.
2006 New Practice Cost Table - Revised February 8, 2006

4. Enhancement payments are made for practices or activities that exceed the minimal program requirements. Those payments rates are provided in the 2006 Enhancement Cost Table below.

2006 Enhancement Cost Table - Tables of eligible practices and estimated costs used by NRCS to develop CSP contracts - Revised February 8, 2006

2006 Enhancement Activities

Enhancements are activities that provide increased resource benefits above the minimum program eligibility levels.  Conservation Activity Job Sheets provide information on the requirements to receive payments.  CSP Enhancements include activities related to:

• Air Resources
• Energy Resources
• Grazing Management
• Habitat Management
• Nutrient Management
• Pest Management
• Plant Resources - updated 3/16/06
• Soil Management
• Water Management - updated 3/16/06

Press Releases about CSP

• USDA Selects Watersheds for 2006 Conservation Security Program
• Raritan Watershed Farmers Invited to Information Sessions about Conservation Security Program - November 9, 2005

< Back to NJ CSP Home Page

Last Modified: May 27, 2008