KS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

The broad goal of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is to assist agricultural producers in enhancing their current conservation efforts to strengthen their operation. It supports a wide array of specific causes such as improving grazing conditions, increasing crop resilience, and developing wildlife habitats. CSP is designed to offer technical and financial assistance for identifying and solving natural resource issues or achieving higher stewardship levels in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. The program encourages the implementation of conservation practices or activities as part of a tailored conservation plan, aiming for benefits like cleaner water and air, healthier soil, and better wildlife habitats, which also contribute to improved agricultural operations. CSP offers annual payments for deploying these practices and maintaining existing conservation efforts. Additionally, it encourages taking further steps through "bundles" of enhancements for higher payment rates. CSP contracts, lasting five years with the option for renewal, represent a firm commitment to conservation, with payments based on maintaining existing conservation levels and implementing new conservation activities. CSP is recognized as the largest conservation program in the United States, focusing on working lands and providing significant benefits to participating producers, including enhanced resiliency and decreased need for agricultural inputs.