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Action Needed! Help farmers who conserve.
What is
the Conservation Security Program?
The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is a national program that
was established in the 2002 Farm Bill. The intent of CSP is to reward
farmers practicing effective conservation. CSP provides payments
to farmers who are good stewards of the land and incentives to farmers
who would like to start using more conservation practices.
Who qualifies?
CSP is an entitlement program, which means that any farmer who develops
an approved plan would receive funds. Unlike the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP), farmers do not compete for funds.
Under CSP, farmers are paid for protecting the environment and being
good stewards of the land. The payments are based on the actual
benefits the conservation practices provide.
What's
going on?
In March 2008, Agriculture chairs and ranking members in the House and Senate agreed to a $5 billion increase to the Conservation Title. The $5 billion increase above the existing baseline would allow for a fully funded Conservation Security Program (CSP) in the 2008 Farm Bill. It also provides significant funding for other Farm Bill conservation programs.
To read the entire press release, click here. (Word document)
USDA published their rules for how CSP will
be implemented in 2004. Unlike the law passed by Congress in 2002
(full entitlement), USDA’s rule severely limits eligibility
and incentives. For example, despite 2,100 watersheds nationwide,
USDA decided that only farmers in a limited number of these watersheds
could participate each year.
In September 2006, USDA announced
that 51 watersheds have been selected for the 2007 CSP sign-up to
be held in early 2007. One of these watersheds is in Iowa: the Middle
Iowa watershed.
Click here for a map of the Middle Iowa River watershed sign up area.
When can
I sign up?
Although CCI members support CSP as a nationwide program -- NOT
limited to certain watersheds -- we encourage family farmers in
selected watersheds to sign-up for CSP.
For more information, visit the Iowa Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp2007.html
or contact the Iowa CCI office.
You can help make CSP a nationwide program
available to all farmers practicing good conservation:
1. Call
your U.S. Senators and Representative.
Tell them:
- Make CSP available nationwide. Don't
limit CSP to a handful of watersheds.
- CSP can only benefit Iowa farmers if
this program is fully funded, so increase funding for CSP!
FIND
YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE BY CLICKING HERE.
2. Call US
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. 202/720-3631. Tell
him:
- USDA’s current rule for CSP is
an insult to family farmers who work hard to protect the environment!
- Rewrite the rule so it reflects the law
and rewards farmers for good stewardship!
3. Call President
Bush. 202/456-1414. Tell him:
- Stop trying to derail CSP!
- USDA must rewrite the rule so it reflects
the law and rewards farmers for good stewardship!
4. Join
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and lend your
voice to the growing band of Iowans who are taking a stand for our
environment and sustainable family farms! |
