The Agriculture Department unveiled revisions in the Conservation Stewardship Program to reflect the directions of the 2014 farm law and invited public comments on its proposals. The deadline for comment is Jan 5, according to a Federal Register notice. CSP shares the cost for farmers who practice soil, water and wildlife conservation as part of their farming operations. USDA said its interim final rule would establish CSP as a conduit for the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program to achieve its goals.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition said its initial perusal indicates the rule would over-emphasize adoption of new practices compared to improvement, maintenance and management of practices already in place. Rather than being guided by environmental outcomes, the rule would favor adoption of new techniques, “thus putting the best stewards of the land at a disadvantage.”