The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is opening the Conservation Stewardship Program for new enrollments for the federal fiscal year 2014, according to a press release. Now through Jan. 17 producers interested in participating in the program can submit applications to NRCS.

The CSP is a Farm Bill conservation program that helps established conservation stewards with taking their level of natural resource management to the next level to improve both their agricultural production and provide valuable conservation benefits such as cleaner and more abundant water as well as healthier soils and better wildlife habitat.

CSP is in its fifth year and so far NRCS has partnered with producers to enroll more than 59 million acres across the nation.

The program emphasizes conservation performance – producers earn higher payments for higher performance. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources and energy.

Some of the popular enhancements used by farmers in Minnesota include:

• New nozzles that reduce the drift of pesticides, lowering input costs and making sure pesticides are used where they are most needed

• Modifying water facilities to prevent bats and bird species from being trapped

• Establishing pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat

• High level integrated pest management, reducing pesticide risk to the environment

• Rotating feeding areas and monitoring key grazing areas to improve grazing management

Eligible landowners and operators in all states and territories can enroll in CSP through Jan. 17 to be eligible during the 2014 federal fiscal year. While local NRCS offices accept CSP applications year round, NRCS evaluates applications during announced ranking periods. To be eligible for this year’s enrollment producers must have their applications submitted to NRCS by the closing date.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if the program is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, stewardship threshold requirements and payment types.

For the checklist or to learn more about CSP find it on the NRCS website at www.nrcs.usda.gov or visit a local USDA NRCS office.