USDA Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
$4,000–$40,000+/year
Annual pay for conservation performance
CSP is the USDA's largest working-lands conservation program, paying farmers and ranchers annual performance payments for conservation practices they already maintain — and additional payments for new practices they adopt. Unlike EQIP (which reimburses installation costs), CSP pays ongoing annual cash for conservation performance. Contracts run 5 years with a minimum $4,000/year payment.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $4,000
- Realistic amount
- Mid-size cropping operations (500–2,000 acres) typically receive $8,000–$20,000/year. Large cattle ranches with 5,000+ a…
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round; national batching deadline typically January 15 each year
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- post award
Who qualifies
- Operators, owners, or tenants of agricultural operations in the FSA farm record management system
- Must be actively engaged in agricultural or forestry production on eligible land
- Must already be meeting the stewardship threshold for at least two priority resource concerns at the time of application
- Eligible land: cropland, grassland, prairie, pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private forest land, and associated agricultural land
- Must comply with USDA's Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions
- Must meet adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations
- Beginning farmers, limited resource producers, socially disadvantaged producers, and military veterans receive a ranking advantage
Hard requirements
- Restricted to industry: agriculture or non-industrial private forestry
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Existing conservation practices already in place on the operation (payment for current performance)
- New conservation activities added under the CSP contract: enhanced wildlife habitat, soil health improvements, water quality practices
- Resource-conserving crop rotations
- Advanced integrated pest management systems
- Soil health improvement practices (precision nutrient management, reduced-till, cover crops)
- Conservation cover for pollinators and wildlife
- Prescribed grazing management improvements
- Riparian management enhancements
Ineligible expenses
- Land acquisition
- Farm buildings not directly tied to a conservation activity
- General operating expenses (seed, fertilizer, pesticides not part of a conservation practice)
- Practices already reimbursed by other USDA cost-share programs (EQIP, CIG)
- CSP does not reimburse capital costs — it pays for performance, not installation
How to apply
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1
Confirm you meet the stewardship threshold
You must already meet NRCS's stewardship threshold for at least two priority resource concerns. NRCS uses a free Resource Concern Assessment to verify your existing conservation performance. Contact your local NRCS Service Center to schedule an assessment before applying.
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2
Submit application at local NRCS office
File a CSP application at your NRCS Service Center before the state's ranking cutoff. Unlike EQIP, CSP does not reimburse installation costs — it pays for ongoing conservation performance, so you need to demonstrate what you are already doing.
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3
NRCS ranks and selects contracts
NRCS ranks applications based on existing stewardship performance and the potential environmental benefit of proposed new activities. Higher-performing operations receive priority. You will be notified if selected within 60–90 days.
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4
Sign 5-year CSP contract
Selected applicants sign a 5-year contract committing to maintain existing practices and implement identified new activities over the contract period. Your contract specifies the annual payment and required stewardship activities.
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5
Receive annual payments and maintain practices
NRCS issues annual payments — typically in the fall — after verifying ongoing conservation performance through documentation review and periodic site visits. Renew or enroll in additional practices each year to maintain or increase your payment level.
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 111, 112, 113
Unlike EQIP, CSP requires you to already be doing conservation before you apply. The key gate is showing two priority resource concerns already at threshold — schedule the free resource concern assessment first.
Deadline & timing
Applications accepted continuously at local NRCS Service Centers. National batching deadline is January 15 for the primary FY2026 funding round. Apply at least 30–60 days before your state's ranking cutoff. FY2026 has ~$1 billion available for new contracts and renewals.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.