Conservation Stewardship Program — annual payments for conservation you may already be doing. Cover crops, no-till, rotational grazing — if you do it, CSP may pay for it.
Time to Apply
30-60 minutes for initial application; 2-4 months to contract
Cost to Apply
Free. No application fee.
Where to Apply
Your local NRCS office
Complexity
Medium — NRCS evaluates your existing conservation and scores it
CSP rewards existing conservation practices — cover crops, no-till, rotational grazing, nutrient management, integrated pest management, diverse rotations, and more. If you're already doing any of these, you may already qualify. CSP is about improving what you do, not starting from scratch.
Tip: CSP is the most overlooked USDA program — it literally pays you for good farming practices you may already have in place
Call or visit your county NRCS office and tell them you're interested in CSP. They'll explain the current application period and what practices score well in your state. Application periods are announced by state, typically in spring.
Tip: Ask NRCS which 'enhancements' score highest in your state — this helps you maximize your annual payment
Fill out NRCS-CPA-1200 (same form as EQIP). Describe your current conservation practices and any enhancements you'd add. NRCS will evaluate your Conservation Measurement Tool (CMT) score based on your existing stewardship level.
Tip: The higher your current conservation baseline, the higher your CMT score — CSP rewards farmers who are already doing the right things
NRCS assesses your operation and scores it. You must meet or exceed a stewardship threshold on at least one resource concern. You also commit to at least one new enhancement during the contract period. Applications are ranked — higher stewardship = better ranking.
Tip: Adding just one new enhancement (like a cover crop mix upgrade or rotational grazing improvement) satisfies the requirement
If selected, you sign a 5-year CSP contract. Annual payments are based on your enrolled acres and the practices you maintain. Minimum payment is $4,000/year (raised from $1,500 in FY2024). Payments come automatically each year.
Tip: CSP payments are $4,000-$40,000+/year depending on your acres and practices — steady annual income for doing what you already do
CSP is the most overlooked USDA program. It pays annual rewards for conservation you're ALREADY doing — no new infrastructure required. If you have cover crops, diverse rotations, or managed grazing, you may already qualify.
The minimum annual payment was raised from $1,500 to $4,000 in FY2024. Even small operations now receive meaningful payments.
CSP and EQIP complement each other. EQIP pays to adopt NEW practices (one-time cost-share). CSP pays you annually to MAINTAIN practices. Apply for EQIP first to install practices, then CSP to get paid for keeping them.
Beginning farmers, veterans, and socially disadvantaged producers get priority ranking in CSP. Make sure to self-certify on the application.
Not applying because you think you're 'not doing enough' conservation — CSP has multiple stewardship levels. Even basic cover crops and no-till may qualify you.
Confusing CSP with EQIP — EQIP is one-time cost-share for new practices. CSP is annual payments for ongoing conservation. They work together, not in place of each other.
Not describing all your existing practices — the more conservation you document, the higher your CMT score. List everything: cover crops, no-till, crop rotation, IPM, buffer strips, grazing management.
Missing the application period — CSP signup windows vary by state and are often short. Ask your NRCS office when the next one opens.
Application to contract: 2-4 months. Contract period: 5 years with annual payments.
Never miss an CSP deadline. Free daily USDA data. Unsubscribe anytime.