The Agricultural Act of 2014: working lands programs, the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Abstract

CSP functions by encouraging stewardship on agricultural lands, cropland, grassland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial private forest land by providing financial assistance to producers who meet program requirements (USDA ERS 2014). Five-year contracts offer annual payments for new and continuing conservation activities. Supplemental payments are also offered on five-year contracts for adopting resource conserving crop-rotation practices. Payments are earned based on conservation performance with higher performing conservation systems earning higher payments.