Deadline for landowner signup for conservation program is March
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on March 29, 2006 1:45 PM
March 31 is the deadline for landowners to sign up for the Conservation Security Program.
The program is a new conservation measure administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service that rewards farmers who have practiced good natural resources stewardship and are willing to take on even more responsibility.
Currently, only landowners in two of the state's watersheds, the Middle Neuse and the Lower Pee Dee, are eligible to participate. And when the current sign-up period ends, it could be years before they are eligible again, said Jacob Crandall, acting state conservationist for the NRCS.
"Many farmers may still be sitting on the fence wondering if they should sign up for the program," he said in a news release. "This program may not be offered in the currently eligible watershed again for many years. We are encouraging farmers to sign up now; this may be their only opportunity for a long time."
The watersheds include all or parts of Anson, Beaufort, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Pitt, Richmond, Scotland, Union and Wayne counties.
Through the program, annual payments can be made for 5 to 10 years, depending on the level of participation.
The payment amount is dependent on a number of factors that include the acreage enrolled in the program, the tier level at which the land is enrolled and the enhancements the farmer or landowner is willing to adopt.
More information about the program can be obtained by calling the local Conservation Service office or by visiting www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/Programs/CSP/.