The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a third round of Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was passed by Congress in August 2022.
The CSP-IRA funding is now available from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Indiana to help farmers and private forestland owners implement conservation practices on their ground.
Applications for the current funding cycle for CSP-IRA are being accepted through July 21. Interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by July 21 to be considered for the current funding period.
The Inflation Reduction Act provided an additional $19.5 billion nationwide over five years for climate smart agriculture through several of the conservation programs that NRCS implements. NRCS is making $850 million available nationwide in fiscal year 2023 for customers who have not been able receive funding in the past due to volume of applications in other programs.
The additional funding provided through IRA available for farmers and private forestland owners to implement a suite of core practices that NRCS has identified as playing the biggest role in mitigating the harmful effects of climate change. These practices include nutrient management improvements, cover crops, reduced tillage, forest stand improvements, prescribed grazing improvements and more. A full list of eligible practices is available at your local USDA service center.
CSP is a financial assistance program for producers who want to add more conservation benefits on their land, such as improved water and soil quality, climate-smart agricultural practices and enhanced wildlife habitat.
“This new round of funding will enable even more farmers and private forestland owners to make a lasting impact on the landscapes throughout Indiana while also mitigating impacts of extreme weather events,” said David Doctorian, acting state conservation for Indiana NRCS. “NRCS is committed to leading the way in assisting producers implement conservation practices that have positive impacts on production, profitability and persistence of Indiana’s farms while at the same time providing positive environmental impact. The Conservation Stewardship Program enables you to take your existing conservation to the next level and have a generational impact on the land for current and future generations.”
To apply for CSP funding through IRA, contact your local district conservationist by visiting https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/indiana-service-centers.
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