Download the PDF of the Farmer’s Guide to the Conservation Stewardship Program

Because of the short timetable between announcement of the program in August and the end of the federal fiscal year September 30, farmers who want to sign up for the program face a short turnaround time to apply. Eligible applicants who apply now can expect to receive the Conservation Measurement Tool to fill out sometime in October. That tool will be used to evaluate the final applicants.

Also problematic is that farmers chosen for the 2009 funds won’t know the rate at which they will be paid until or unless they are selected. (Farmers who are selected can always elect not to sign a contract if they don’t like the terms. First payments for both 2009 and 2010 recipients will not be paid until October 2010.)