National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Supporting the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.

Conservation Stewardship Program

Less than One Month to Renew Expiring CSP Contracts

Farmers who enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) in 2014 have less than one month to renew their existing contracts for an additional 5 years. Applications for renewal of expiring contracts are due April 13, 2018. CSP, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), provides financial […]

New Resource for Conservation Stewardship Program Applicants

The deadline for those interested in the 2018 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the nation’s largest conservation program, is less than one month away. CSP is a valuable resource for farmers, ranchers, and forest owners interested in increasing the sustainability and long-term profitability of their lands. More than 72 million acres of farmland, ranchland, and forestland […]

RELEASE: Window for 2018 Conservation Stewardship Program Enrollment Opens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Window for 2018 Conservation Stewardship Program Enrollment Opens National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urges farmers to apply before the March 2018 deadline Washington, DC, January 18, 2018 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that farmers and ranchers […]

NSAC Special Report: Conservation Stewardship Program

In just under a decade, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has enrolled over 87 million acres of farmland, ranchland, and forestland in conservation contracts. According to preliminary enrollment data, over 72 million acres are currently enrolled in CSP active contracts – combined that’s a landmass equal to the entire size […]

Land Tenure Provision Provides Opportunities for Current and Future Farmers

For producers enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Land Tenure Provision provides an opportunity to bring land back into production and give a hand up to the next generation. The Land Tenure Provision, which is only available for the least environmentally sensitive CRP acres, incentivizes producers to transfer (by […]

Conservation Groups Deliver Farm Bill Recommendations

Conservation, agriculture, and wildlife organizations joined together this week to present a comprehensive list of recommendations for the conservation provisions of the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) joined 25 other signatories in asking legislators to strengthen the next farm bill’s Conservation Title by improving and increasing funding for U.S. Department […]

Stories From the Field: Conservation Programs for New Farming Futures

Raised in western Kansas, Ryan Speer grew up knowing that he wanted to farm. What he didn’t know, however, was how to farm in a way that was both economically and environmentally sustainable. Having come of age during some difficult economic times in farm country, Ryan took the opportunity to study and practice agronomy. Though […]

Celebrating Agro-Environmental Stewardship on Earth Day

Throughout this week hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. will be leading projects, demonstrations, and activities in celebration of Earth Day (April 22). Whether you’re a farmer who’s proud of the advanced conservation activities on your farm, a gardener doing your part to add greenery to your neighborhood, or a consumer who loves […]

Stories from the Field: Conservation for a Better Future

Rick Story never imagined he’d be named one of the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Farmers of the Year; but considering his extensive use of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) over the last four years, it’s easy to see why he was chosen. A pilot by training, at first Rick was more comfortable flying […]

RELEASE: Over 220 Organizations Urge Appropriators to Protect Conservation Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: National Association of Conservation Districts: Whitney Forman-Cook (202) 595-9139, Whitney-Forman-Cook@nacdnet.org National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: Reana Kovalcik (202) 547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net National Wildlife Federation: Casey Skeens (202) 797-6808, SkeensC@NWF.org Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership: Kristyn Brady (617) 501-6352, kbrady@trcp.org Over 220 Agriculture, Wildlife, and Conservation Organizations Urge Appropriators to Protect Conservation Funding Washington, D.C., […]

One Month Left to Renew Expiring Conservation Stewardship Contracts!

  Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) acres have until May 5 to renew their contracts for an additional five years. Nearly 7,000 farmers, ranchers, and forest owners across the country enrolled 9.5 million acres in this comprehensive conservation program in 2013. These contracts will expire from the program if they are […]

Path to the 2018 Farm Bill: Conservation

Editor’s Note: As a lead up to the 2018 Farm Bill, around which discussions and debate in Congress have already begun, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is previewing some of the major programs and policies advocates need to know in order to effectively engage. The second post in our series, “Path to the 2018 Farm […]

Final Week to Apply for Comprehensive Conservation Support in 2017

  Farmers and ranchers seeking 2017 funding under the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) have five more days to submit their initial applications. CSP, which is the nation’s largest working lands conservation program, supports farmers and ranchers in their efforts to actively manage and expand conservation activities on their agricultural lands. The 2017 CSP sign-up period […]

NSAC Publishes Updated Resources for 2017 CSP Sign-Up Period

This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a complete “reinvention” of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the nation’s largest working lands conservation program. While some essential details of the reinvention have yet to be announced by USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), it is important that interested farmers and ranchers submit their initial […]

RELEASE: Updated Resources Available for 2017 Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik, 202-547-5754, RKovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Alyssa Charney, 202-547-5754, ACharney@sustainableagriculture.net Updated Resources Available for 2017 Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition releases new tools and analysis for farmers Washington, DC, November 29, 2016 – Following the release by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of a “reinvented” Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) […]

CSP Sign-Up Opens, Program “Reinvention” Details Remain Elusive

Farmers and ranchers are important managers of our shared air, water, and soil resources, and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) recognizes and rewards this critical role. CSP is built on the belief that we must enhance natural resource and environmental protection as we simultaneously produce profitable food, fiber, and energy. By providing comprehensive conservation assistance […]

Press Release: Major Questions Remain as USDA Announces 2017 Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik, 202-547-5754, RKovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Alyssa Charney, 202-547-5754, ACharney@sustainableagriculture.net   Major Questions Remain as USDA Announces 2017 CSP Sign-Up Washington, DC, November 4, 2016 – Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the beginning of the 2017 sign-up period for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the nation’s largest working lands conservation program. […]

Conservation Stewardship Program ‘Reinvention’: What to look for in the upcoming overhaul

    Editor’s Note: This article was originally written by Ferd Hoefner of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and published as an opinion piece in Agri-Pulse on August 29, 2016. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) offers technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to maintain high standards of resource conservation and environmental stewardship […]

Conservation Stewardship Stories: Miguel Otero

This piece is the first in a four-part series chronicling stories from farmers and ranchers who have experienced success with the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Farming and ranching is more than just a job; according to Alabama farmer, Miguel Otero, it’s a way of life. “I guess farming is something you carry in your genes,” said Miguel. “If […]

Farm and Conservation Groups Oppose Obama’s Proposed Farm Bill Cuts

In a February 5 letter to the House and Senate Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittees, farm, conservation and environmental groups urged Congress to reject President Obama’s proposed $1 billion-plus cut to mandatory farm conservation program funding.  The letter, coordinated by NSAC, was signed by 37 organizations including Audubon, Clean Water Network, Environmental Defense Fund, Izaak Walton League […]