Missouri Among Conservation Security Program Leaders

COLUMBIA, MO, August 4, 2005 – Roger Hansen, state conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Missouri, announced that 1,133 Missouri farmers and ranchers will be offered $13 million in new contracts in the Conservation Security Program (CSP).

The number of contracts offered to Missouri farmers and ranchers is the second most in the United States, and the $13 million represents the nation’s third highest annual payment. USDA announced earlier that $145 million in new contracts are being offered to 12,700 farmers and ranchers across the country.

“Missouri farmers and ranchers are getting 9 percent of the contracts and 9 percent of the funding available nationwide,” Hansen said. “The Conservation Security Program is designed to reward people who have been doing the best job of protecting natural resources, and to motivate others to do the same. Over the past 20 years, which coincides with the passage of the state’s one-tenth-cent Parks and Soils Sales Tax, Missouri has been recognized as a leader in soil and water conservation. So it’s not surprising that such a large percentage of the contracts are being offered here.”

Hansen added that Missouri’s allotment of contracts and funding also is an indication of the success of NRCS employees at the local level in educating farmers and ranchers about CSP and assisting them through the application process.

CSP was offered on a limited basis last summer, when Missouri had one of the 18 eligible watersheds. This year agricultural producers in 220 watersheds were given an opportunity to participate in the program. Seven of the eligible watersheds are in Missouri.

Unlike most federal farm conservation programs that are designed to address resource problems, CSP is intended to recognize farmers and ranchers who have already applied conservation systems that address soil and water quality resource concerns. The bulk of the CSP contract payment, however, is based on agreements to further enhance these and other resources including wildlife habitat, energy conservation, and air quality.

CSP applicants participate in the program on three different tiers reflecting both their documented historical conservation management as well as their agreement to do additional environmental enhancements.

Missouri’s CSP contracts will provide participants with up to $45,000 per year for 5-10 years. A broad range of conservation work that protects and enhances natural resources is being funded. Typical conservation measures include environmental improvements such as pest and nutrient management, crop rotations, contour and conservation tillage, wildlife habitat improvements, soil conserving terraces and streambank stabilization.

CSP will continue to be offered each year, on a rotational basis, in as many watersheds as funding allows. For more information about CSP and other NRCS programs click here or contact the NRCS office serving your county. To find a NRCS office in your area, look in the phone book under “U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture,” or click here.

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Missouri CSP Fact Sheet

   CSP fact sheet  (PDF, 750 KB)

Additional CSP information

Missouri News Releases

Missouri Soils information