Want to get paid for good conservation practices? Ohio’s conventional and organic agricultural producers and forest landowners have until July 9 to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Landowners can earn payments for actively managing, maintaining and expanding conservation activities such as cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat — all while maintaining active agriculture production on their land.

“Ohio producers have a unique opportunity to achieve higher levels of conservation through this second round of funding,” says Lori Ziehr, Ohio NRCS acting state conservationist. “By taking advantage of the program, they can utilize NRCS technical and financial resources to enhance both their business operations and natural resources.”

The Conservation Stewardship Program encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and new management techniques such as precision agriculture applications, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rates, and new soil amendments to improve water quality.

While applications for CSP are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by July 9 to be considered for the second 2021 funding period.

NRCS has specifically set aside $300,000 to provide financial and technical assistance to Ohio organic producers. Many activities covered under CSP will help organic farmers continue to achieve economical sustainability, including natural borders along fields that protect organic crops.

To qualify for CSP organic funding, 75% or more of the land in operation must be certified organic or transitioning to organic production.

Source: USDA-NRCS, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.