Final Round Of Stewardship Program Meetings Scheduled For Ag Producers In Salinas Watershed

Contacts:
Robert LaFleur, (831) 754-1595

Margy Lindquist, (805) 434-0396

Bob Rohde, (831) 636-4360

SALINAS, Calif., May 1, 2008—The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold its final round of workshops for producers interested in the Conservation Security Program (CSP) on May 7 and 8. Agricultural producers in California’s Salinas Watershed are eligible to apply. This second round of workshops will provide a program overview, plus greater detail than that covered in the first round of meetings on eligibility requirements and land enhancement activities rewarded by the program. Workshop attendees will receive assistance in filling out the Record Workbooks required for program participation.

The Salinas Watershed is located in parts of Monterey, San Luis Obispo and San Benito counties. Program signup will take place April 18 to May 16, 2008. Most working agricultural lands in the watershed are eligible to apply, including cropland, orchards, vineyards, pasture, and range. Program applicants will compete in a national funding pool. In the Salinas watershed, producers who can also demonstrate work they are doing to improve water efficiency and protect wildlife habitat may be able to qualify for a higher stewardship designation and payment. More information on CSP, eligibility, and watersheds selected for 2008 (including maps) is available online at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/. A workshop schedule is listed below. Interested producers may attend any of the second round of meetings at their convenience.

The CSP is a voluntary program, first introduced in the 2002 Farm Bill that supports ongoing conservation stewardship on working agricultural lands and enhances the condition of America's natural resources. The Salinas watershed was originally announced as an intended focus of the program in 2006. A lack of funding prevented holding the signup for the program until now. Consult the Web site or call your local USDA Service Center for more information.

CSP 2nd Round Workshops 2008

May 7th, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
For All Agricultural Land Uses
Salinas Valley Fairgrounds Expo Bldg.
625 Division St., King City, CA

May 8th, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Focus on Vineyards, Orchards and Cropland
J. Lohr Winery Meeting Room
6169 Airport Rd., Paso Robles, CA

May 8th, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Focus on Rangeland
J. Lohr Winery Meeting Room
6169 Airport Rd., Paso Robles, CA

For More Information

Salinas Service Center
744-A LaGuardia St.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 424-1036

Templeton Service Center
65 S. Main St., Ste. 108
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-0396

Hollister Service Center
2337 Technology Parkway, Ste. C
Hollister, CA 95023
(831) 637-4360

King City Local Partnership
522 N. 2nd St.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-5545

< Back to News Releases