Applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program

Complete Self-Screening Checklist

The first step in applying for the Conservation Stewardship is to complete the Conservation Stewardship Self-Screening Checklist.  This checklist addresses the three aspects of eligibility, including land eligibility, applicant eligibility, and the stewardship threshold requirement. 

Gather Documentation

A Conservation Measurement Tool (CMT) inventory list, a Conservation Activity list, and Land/Water body Checkists are available to help the producer document their existing resource conditions and conservation activities.  The applicant should complete these lists prior to meeting with NRCS personnel to complete the CMT.

The document below requires Adobe Acrobat Reader:

Conservation Activity List (PDF, 98 Kb)
Conservation Measurement Tool inventory (PDF, 219 Kb)
Cropland Checklist (PDF, 492 Kb)
Forestland Checklist (PDF, 439 Kb)
Pastureland Checklist (PDF, 220 Kb)
Water Checklist (PDF, 213 Kb)

Complete Conservation Measurement Tool

Ranking of applications and level of payment depend on the numerical value received after the applicant completes the Conservation Measurement Tool (CMT).  Appointments to complete the CMT with the local NRCS office will only be scheduled after the applicant completes the self-screening checklist to determine whether or not they are eligible to participate.  The CMT inventory and land/water checklists should also be completed and brought to the CMT appointment. 

During the CMT interview, the applicant will decide which new conservation activities to undertake as part of their CSP contract.  These conservation activities will factor into the CMT value received. 

Field Verification

After the CMT is completed by the applicant and NRCS, a ranking score and conservation payment points will be evaluated for contract pre-approval.  If the contract is pre-approved, a NRCS representative will conduct an on-site verification of the conservation activities reported by the applicant. 

Stewardship Plan Development

When all conservation activities have been field verified, a Conservation Stewardship Plan will be developed for the implementation of the additional conservation activities.  At this point, the contract will be submitted for funding.  If the contract is approved for funding, the Conservation Stewardship Plan is carried out according to schedule.

Payments

Contract payments will be made in the fiscal year (October 1 - September 30) after the contract activities are completed. 

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