1. Slide 1 CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM (CSP) Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

2. Slide 2 Program Philosophy Reward the best, motivate the rest Not a cost-share program to apply practices A conservation planning program to address natural resource concerns

3. Slide 3 CSP Key Points Awaiting proposed rule release Most widely known program acronym Excellent marketing tool

4. Slide 4 CSP Key Points Supports ongoing conservation stewardship on working lands Rewards producers who meet highest conservation standards Creates incentives for others to achieve those same standards

5. Slide 5 CSP Key Points $3.7 billion authorization 2003-2013 < 5 percent of eligible producers will be enrolled due to authorized funding levels Law limits <15 percent of program funding for CTA

6. Slide 6 CSP Key Points Program realities RMS planning emphasis Program infancy

7. Slide 7 CSP Payments – One or More Components Annual base component for benchmark treatment Annual existing practice component for maintaining existing practices One-time new practice payment Enhancement component for going further than quality criteria

8. Slide 8 Potential Sign-up Scenario NRCS determines criteria NRCS announces program and criteria Producer self-screening and inventory Producer application

9. Slide 9 Potential Sign-up Scenario NRCS determines eligibility NRCS determines tier NRCS determines offers based on announcement priorities