For Immediate Release                                                                             Contact: Aimee Witteman

March 19, 2008                                                                                         (202) 547-5754

Press Statement: Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Applauds 2007-2008 CSP Sign-Up

Washington, D.C. March 19, 2008 – The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition welcomes USDA’s announcement that after long delays, it will be opening enrollment for the Conservation Security Program in 51 eligible watersheds with a sign-up period from April 18 to May 16.   The Conservation Security Program is the country’s hallmark working lands conservation program and is unique among all other programs by rewarding farmers and ranchers who meet high standards of conservation and environmental management. 

“We are glad to see that the logjam has been broken and farmers and ranchers in the 51 eligible watersheds will finally be able to enroll in the Conservation Security Program,” said Martha Noble, senior policy associate with the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.  “However, the announcement is bittersweet given that USDA’s bureaucratic holdup means the new sign-up will take place during spring planting season for many farmers.  Eligible farmers will have to balance the CSP application process with the demands of spring planting.”  

CSP has remained popular with farmers despite significant funding restrictions that have limited the program to implementation on a watershed-by-watershed basis rather than a nationwide basis.  With full funding in the next farm bill, the Conservation Security Program could be available to farmers nationwide on a continuous basis.  The goal of a fully funded program, as provided in the bill passed by the Senate last December, is having 13 million new acres added each year. 

Link to the 51 eligible watersheds: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/CSP_2008/2008_CSP_WS.html

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