Agricultural producers in the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay
(Lower Kennebec) Watershed may be eligible to apply for the USDA Conservation
Security Program (CSP) during the scheduled sign-up period of April 18-May 16,
2008. The Lower Kennebec Watershed, selected as one of the 51 watersheds
nationwide for this years CSP signup, is primarily in the counties of Franklin,
Kennebec and Somerset, but also includes portions of Androscoggin, Sagadahoc,
Lincoln, Waldo, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.
The CSP, part of the 2002 Farm Bill, is a tremendous opportunity
for farmers who practice good soil and water conservation. The purpose of CSP is
to reward the best agricultural producers for their stewardship efforts and
motivate others to become good stewards of the land.
To qualify for CSP, farms will need to have soil erosion and
water quality practices in place, including nutrient and pest management. Lands
that are eligible include cropland (row crops, orchards, vineyards, and
horticultural crops), hayland, pasture lands, and incidental forest land.
Participants will be enrolled in one of three tiers in the
program, depending on the extent of the conservation treatment in place on their
farm. Payments will be based in part on the existing conservation treatment as
well as their willingness to undertake additional environmental enhancements.
The CSP signup process will be different from other USDA
conservation programs. Participants are required to conduct a self-assessment to
determine on their own whether or not they are eligible for the program.
Before taking the self-assessment, NRCS recommends you complete
the following checklist for land you are considering enrolling in CSP.
Do you take soils tests and follow the recommendations
when applying nutrients/fertilizer?
Do you have records of where you apply
nutrients/fertilizer?
Do you have records on how much
nutrients/fertilizer you apply?
Do you have records on when you apply
nutrients?
If you raise cultivated or row crops (i.e., potatoes,
corn, beans, vegetables) do you follow a crop rotation so these crops
are only produced half of the years and hay or small grains (i.e., oats,
barley) are grown the other years?
If you apply pesticides do you have records that
document the pesticide type, amount, time applied and rate?
If you answered "yes" to most of these questions you would potentially be
eligible to participate in CSP and should complete the self-assessment workbook
prior to working with your local NRCS office. If you answered "no" to most of
the checklist questions, you should still consider completing the
self-assessment in the next few months to help you prepare for future CSP
signups and to help NRCS identify other conservation programs which can help you
better protect the natural resources on your farm. Contact the local NRCS office
to get a copy of the self-assessment workbook, or go to www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.
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