Colorado ag producers who have existing conservation measures and are looking to add and improve upon them are encouraged to apply for enrollment into the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Through CSP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers ag landowners a variety of conservation practices and enhancements, and the opportunity to implement activities through new technologies and management techniques.
The NRCS is implementing this round of CSP funding through its ACT NOW Initiative. Colorado's ACT NOW Initiatives allows producers who apply for applicable NRCS funding and have fully established eligibility records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) the potential to know if their project will be funded before leaving the UDSA service center. Landowners interested in improving grazing conditions, increasing crop resiliency, developing wildlife habitat, and are within the project area (see list below) are encouraged to apply.
Landowner participation is limited to the following areas for this round of CSP funding: Meeker (Rio Blanco County), Craig (Moffatt County), Montrose (Montrose County), Gunnison (Gunnison County), Norwood (San Miguel County), Durango/Ignacio (La Plata County), Pagosa Springs (Archuleta County), Center/Alamosa/San Luis (Saguache, Costilla, Alamosa, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Conejos Counties) Trinidad (Las Animas County), Walsenburg (Huerfano County), Springfield (Baca County), Las Animas (Bent County), Lamar (Prowers County), Pueblo (Pueblo County), Rocky Ford (Otero/Crowley County), Cheyenne Wells (Cheyenne County), Eads (Kiowa County) , Burlington/Flagler (Kit Carson County), Hugo (Lincoln County), Longmont (Boulder County), Denver Metro (Jefferson and Denver Counties), Brighton (Adams County), Byers (Arapahoe County), Akron (Washington County), Yuma/Wray (Yuma County), Julesburg (Sedgwick County) Holyoke (Phillips County), Ft. Collins (Larimer County), Greeley (Weld County) Grand Junction, (Mesa County), and Delta (Delta County).
CSP funding is available to both large-and small-scale producers and is implemented through five-year contacts. It offers eligible land a baseline payment in addition to the incentive payment. All new activities establish through CSP must be completed on land that the eligible producer has operated for at least five years.
CSP applications are due to the local NRCS offices by September 8, 2023.
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