SPOKANE – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has extended the application deadline for the fiscal year 2015 Conservation Stewardship Program general sign-up to March 13.

The application extension will provide farmers, ranchers, and private forest managers additional time to apply for CSP financial assistance.

“CSP producers are conservation leaders and work hard to enhance natural resources on private lands,” said Roylene Rides at the Door, NRCS Washington State Conservationist.  “Extending the application deadline provides an opportunity for landowners to take full advantage of the program.”

USDA announced last month that it would make available $100 million this year through the CSP. Although CSP applications are accepted all year, to be considered for funding this fiscal year, applications must be submitted by March 13. Applications should be submitted to a local NRCS office. Find an office by visiting the Washington NRCS website at www.wa.nrcs.usda.gov and click the “Contact Us” link.

Applicants will work with NRCS field personnel to complete a resource inventory of their land, which will help determine the conservation performance for existing and new conservation activities for the agricultural operation. The applicant’s conservation performance will be used to determine eligibility, ranking and payments.

NRCS offers financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers or private forest managers for the active management and maintenance of existing conservation activities and for carrying out new conservation activities on working agricultural land. Eligible lands are private and tribal lands that include cropland, pastureland, rangeland, and non-industrial private forestland. Applicants must have control of the land for the 5-year term of the contract.

To learn more about CSP sign-ups or contract renewals, visit your local NRCS office. Visit the national Conservation Stewardship Program web page for more information about this program.