Dateline: February 24, 2005

Conservation program plans meeting here

Conservation Security Program public meetings have been scheduled in the Upper Salt Fork Red Watershed to inform farmers and ranchers about the eligibility requirements and application process. 

The meetings will be held on Tuesday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Armstrong County Activity Center and on Thursday, March 3, at the Bairfield Activity Center at 10:00 a.m.

The Upper Salt Fork Red Watershed, located in portions of Donley, Armstrong, Carson, and Gray counties, has been selected as one of the 202 watersheds nationwide to participate in the the 2005 CSP signup, which will be announced in March pending publication of the final CSP rule in the Federal Register.

The Conservation Security Program is a stewardship program providing payments to producers who maintain and enhance their natural resources.  Only producers practicing the highest levels of conservation will be eligible to participate. A self-assessment must be completed by producers documenting their benchmark conservation level prior to visiting the NRCS office to apply for CSP.

CSP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation on private working lands. 

For information or to obtain a workbook, visit the Upper Salt Fork Red Watershed CSP website at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov/program/csp or contact your NRCS office.