Andrew Tonnies, policy associate, [email protected] or 402.590.7096, or Rhea Landholm, communications manager, [email protected] or 402.687.2100 ext. 1025
LYONS, NEBRASKA – South Dakota farmers and ranchers interested in enrolling in two popular conservation programs have until Nov. 1 to submit their initial paperwork.
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provide financial and technical assistance for producers who want to implement conservation practices on their operations while maintaining agricultural production. In 2023, 647 CSP and EQIP contracts were awarded in South Dakota, expanding conservation efforts across more than 1 million acres of the state.
“CSP and EQIP are voluntary programs that allow farmers and ranchers to choose practices that meet the unique needs of their operations,” said Andrew Tonnies, policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “They offer something for everyone, whether you are planting cover crops for the first time or expanding on niche practices that enhance wildlife habitat.”
Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), CSP and EQIP differ in ways that are important for producers to consider.
CSP contracts last five years and ask producers to implement multiple practices across their operations. Applicants must demonstrate they are currently engaged in conservation and be willing to implement additional practices.
EQIP contracts are typically one to three years and are designed to address a particular resource concern with a single practice or project. The program also offers assistance for structural practices, such as fencing for rotational grazing.
“These programs will receive a continued increase in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act in 2025,” Tonnies said. “This means more opportunity for producers to implement practices that are good for water quality and soil health.”
Producers interested in applying for CSP or EQIP should contact their local NRCS office as soon as possible. A list of local offices can be found at nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center.
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