Sign up continues through Sept. 30 for the Conservation Stewardship Program.

This program is designed to reward producers who are actively applying best management practices on their operation. Best management practices include no-till, reduced tillage, hay establishment, cover crops, and manure and pesticide application.

Producers will need to show documentation of the applied practice. While the records are not required to meet Natural Resources Conservation Service standards and specifications and can be simple in nature, more detailed documentation will likely increase payment rates.

In addition to practices already adopted, producers must also implement at least one new practice. These practices can be as simple as recycling farm lubricants and installing solar powered fence chargers.

Contract rates for the program will range between $12 to $22 for cropland and $7 to $14 for pasture per acre per year for a 5-year contract. While these rates are low, this is a program designated to reward farmers for practices already installed.

Producers must show control of land enrolled in the program; those who are interested in signing up or discussing the program in more detail can call 724-482-4800, Ext. 108.

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