CSP is available on Tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forestland (NIPF). While applications are accepted on a continuous basis, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadlines for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. To be considered for current available funding, applicants should have their applications in the local field office by January 15, 2026. 

Eligibility

Eligible lands include private and Tribal agricultural lands, cropland, grassland, pastureland, rangeland and nonindustrial private forest land.  CSP is available to all producers, regardless of operation size or type of crops produced, in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Caribbean and Pacific Island areas. Applicants may include individuals, legal entities, joint operations or Indian tribes that meet the stewardship threshold for at least two priority resource concerns when they apply. They must also agree to meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for at least one additional priority resource concern by the end of the contract.
 
Producers must have effective control of the land for the term of the proposed contract. Contracts include all eligible land in the agricultural operation.

Additional restrictions and program requirements may apply.

The Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program

In FY2026, the Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP) will focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern—soil, water, and natural vitality—under a single conservation framework. States will set aside 25% of their EQIP and CSP financial assistance funding. Both technical and financial resources will be available to producers at all stages of implementing regenerative agriculture, from those just starting out to those with more experience. The Regenerative Pilot Program has three requirements: 

• Whole Farm Assessment: A complete assessment of all resource concerns is required, with the goal of establishing a whole farm plan before the end of the contract period. The whole-farm assessment includes all resource concerns, and it must meet NRCS planning criteria in the soil and water resource categories. 

• Primary Practices: At least one primary regenerative management practice must be implemented by the end of the contract. Additional NRCS practices can support the objectives of regenerative agriculture, depending on the producer's goals and objectives 

• Soil Health Testing: Participants must agree to perform soil health testing in the first and last year of the contract (at a minimum) to establish a starting baseline and to record the resulting changes. Financial assistance for soil testing will be available to both producers who have not previously completed soil testing and producers who are already testing their soil

For more information about RPP visit the Regenerative Pilot Program

CSP and RCPP

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes coordination between NRCS and partners to deliver conservation assistance to producers and landowners. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners through our programs, such as conservation programs, that also support RCPP approved partner projects. Learn More about RCPP and RCPP projects on our RCPP website.

CSP Contracts

The program represents a genuine commitment to conservation – CSP contracts are for five years, with the opportunity to compete for a contract renewal if you successfully fulfill the initial contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives. An NRCS conservation planner will work closely with you, throughout the entire contract process.

Contract payments are based on two components:

• Payments to maintain the existing level of conservation, based on the land uses included in the contract and an NRCS assessment of existing stewardship at the time of enrollment, and
• Payments to implement additional conservation activities.

Most participants will be eligible for a $4000 minimum payment during any year that their total annual contract payment falls below the minimum payment amount.

CSP Renewals

Existing CSP participants may be eligible to renew their contract for an additional 5-year term during the fifth year of their initial contract.  Participants who have met the terms of their initial contract and who agree to implement more conservation activities can compete for a renewal contract. To meet the renewal stewardship threshold, the participant must agree to meet or exceed two additional priority resource concerns or agree to adopt or improve conservation activities to achieve higher levels of conservation for two existing priority resource concerns.