USDA-NRCS Announces Workshops on New Conservation Security Program

Contact: Jen DeLorenzi (530) 792-5647

DAVIS, Calif., March 9, 2005--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that it will hold 14 public information meetings in the California watersheds selected to participate in the 2005 Conservation Security Program (CSP).

The selected watersheds are: Lower Sacramento, Sacramento-Stone Corral, Lower Butte, and Lower Cosumnes-Mokelumne (adjacent to each other in the north-central part of the state), and Estrella (in the Central Coast area of the state).  These watersheds were recommended to NRCS by the State Technical Committee, an advisory group made up of local and state conservation officials and other people having an active interest in the conservation of natural resources.

"We invite every farmer and rancher in these watersheds to come to one of our workshops to learn about this program," said Acting State Conservationist Ed Burton.  "New watersheds are selected each year and producers are encouraged to take this opportunity to enroll.  It may be some time before the program is offered in their watershed again." he added.

NRCS anticipates announcing a sign-up for the program this spring.  Producers are encouraged to go online at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov and complete an initial self-assessment to see if they qualify for the program.  Applicants will compete for a piece of a national funding pool of $202 Million.  The meeting dates and locations are as follows:

The CSP is a voluntary program that supports ongoing conservation stewardship of working agricultural lands and enhances the condition of America's natural resources.   Call 1-866-OUR-SOIL for more information.

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