Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

CSP is a five-year program that provides a minimum annual payment that helps agricultural producers and private landowners maintain high levels of conservation stewardship on their land. The program also helps improve their existing conservation actions by requiring additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance—the higher the performance, the higher the payment. Farms and forest owners that can demonstrate long-term stewardship activities are usually those that qualify for the program in Mason and Lake counties. By enrolling in this program landowners are able to demonstrate a genuine commitment to conservation.  

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

ACEP provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits through easements. There are various time-length options and eligibility requirements. Please refer to the ACEP link for more information.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

CRP is a land conservation program administered by Farm Services Agency (FSA). In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are 10-15 years in length. The long-term goal of the program is to re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife and pollinator habitat. 

For more information please visit the NRCS website.