New conservation program Puts money in the hands of area farmers

 Who:            The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

What:           Conservation Security Program (CSP) Celebration

When:          Friday, August 19, 2005, 10:00 a.m.

Where:         Holly Hill Farm, St. Stephens Church, Virginia  

Farmers in the Lower Rappahannock, Mattaponi, and South Fork Shenandoah River watersheds had the opportunity to be recognized and financially rewarded through NRCS Conservation Security Program.  More than 200 farmers signed up for the program with contracts totaling $1.3 million.  Nationwide NRCS will offer 12,700 CSP contracts to farmers in 220 watersheds. These 2005 contracts being offered translate into more than a $1 billion long-term commitment to conservation over the next 10 years on 9 million acres of private lands.

The celebration will be held in the Mattaponi Watershed to recognize the Holly Hill Farm, which displays the highest level of conservation.  Speakers from NRCS, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will highlight the success of the program and the impact on the Bay and wildlife habitat across the state. 

CSP rewards farmers who have already put conservation practices in place that address soil and water quality concerns. The main part of the CSP contract payment is based on agreements to further enhance these and other resources including wildlife habitat, energy conservation and air quality.  Its goal is to encourage other producers to meet or rise beyond those same standards of conservation performance.   

CSP will be available each year on a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows.  Additional information on CSP, including the self-assessment workbook and Federal Register notice, is at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp . 

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