The Natural Resource Conservation Service is now accepting applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program.

Originally called the Conservation Security Program under the 2002 farm bill, the program has been reworked and made available nationwide for the 2008 bill.

The program rewards farmers who are implementing good conservation practices on cropland, pasture and woodland.

Example practices include no-till, nutrient management, pest management, alfalfa establishment, dust control on access roads, GPS-guided pesticide applications, cover crops, animal exclusion for water bodies and many more.

Producers are rewarded for practices they already implement, and the more implemented, the more they are rewarded. Practices are not required to meet NRCS standards and specifications. For example, to be eligible for nutrient management, farmers only need records of nutrient application and not a full blown ACT 38/590 nutrient management plan.

The same applies to pest management and several other record-keeping practices. Producers must also agree to implement at least one new practice over the five-year contract period.

Sign-up for the program is continuous. However; the cutoff for fall applications will be Sept. 30. There will be another cutoff around the end of January, too.

Producers will need to show they have control of rented land for the contract period, but this should not discourage operations. Control of land requirements does not obligate the landlord to long-term commitments. Rather, it protects the producer from monetary repercussions if they are removed from the rented land during the contract period.

Contract amounts are yet to be determined. However, historically, payments have been generous. For example, no-till incentives under the previous program ranged from $10 to $30 per acre per year.

Producers interested in more information or signing up are encouraged to either visit the Butler service center office or call 724-482-4800, Ext. 108.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.