The deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program applications to be considered for funding in Pennsylvania this year is June 1.

Through the program, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service helps farmers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques.

“CSP continues to be a very effective tool for private landowners working to achieve their conservation and management goals,” said Denise Coleman, state conservationist in Pennsylvania.

“It is the largest conservation program in the United States with more than 70 million acres of productive agricultural and forest land enrolled.”

Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill authorize the service to accept new stewardship enrollments from now until 2023 and makes some improvements to the program include:

• NRCS now enrolls eligible, high-ranking applications based on dollars rather than acres.

• Higher payment rates are now available under the 2018 Farm Bill for certain conservation activities, including cover crops and resource conserving crop rotations.

• Specific support for organic and for transitioning to organic production activities and a special grassland conservation initiative for certain producers who have maintained cropland base acres.

While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline to ensure their applications are considered for 2020 funding.

To take advantage of NRCS technical assistance and expertise or federally funded conservation on your farm or land, contact your local USDA NRCS Field Office (found at www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator), or visit www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov for applications and program information.

USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone, and using online tools whenever possible. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.