ELLICOTTVILLE -Feb. 27 is the application cutoff date for the Conservation Stewardship Program general signup for fiscal year 2015, and March 31 is the cutoff date for CSP 2011 contract renewal applications. All applications are competitive and are ranked based on their overall benefit to the environment.

“The CSP program is a key part of NRCS’ suite of conservation programs,” said Gregory A. Kist, New York Natural Resources Conservation Service state conservationist. “After participants address key resource concerns through our other programs, they can then utilize CSP to maintain their previous conservation performance and implement conservation enhancements to better protect our natural resources.”

The Conservation Stewardship Program is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by undertaking additional conservation activities and maintaining existing conservation activities.

Through the Conservation Stewardship Program, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to eligible producers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air, plants, animals and related natural resources on their land. Eligible lands include privately owned cropland, grassland, improved pastureland, non-industrial private forestland, agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, and other private agricultural land on which participants can address resource concerns related to agricultural production.

Visit nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ny/programs/ for more information.