Raritan Basin Farmers Eligible for Natural Resources Conservation Service 

Conservation Security Program

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) manages the Conservation Security Program (CSP), a voluntary program initiated under the Farm Bill of 2002. This program provides incentives for farmers and producers and promotes environmental benefit for the surrounding community.

The Raritan Basin Watershed, selected for CSP program funding in 2006, covers approximately 1100 square miles and includes parts of seven counties. Approximately 19% of the Watershed is in agricultural land use, mostly along the North Branch and South Branch of the Raritan River.

Farmers can qualify for CSP payments by applying and documenting high levels of on-farm conservation and management with the ability to earn increased payments by adding and/or expanding conservation activities.   CSP payments may be as high as $45,000 annually.

Many farmers in the Raritan Basin Watershed are already implementing conservation practices, and may be eligible for enrollment in the CSP program. Conservation practices that address soil erosion have been installed on an average of 4766 acres per year in the Raritan Basin.

NRCS has tools to assist prospective applicants, such as self-assessment workbooks, application forms, eligibility requirements, and payments schedules, available for review and download on their website.

For further information, please contact Nicole Ciccaglione (District Conservationist – NRCS) at (732) 462-0075 x 115 or your local service center.

NRCS Service Centers for the Raritan Basin:

Freehold- serving Monmouth, Middlesex and Mercer Counties 732-462-0075 ext 3

    4000 Kozloski Rd, PO Box 5033 Freehold, NJ 07728-5033
    PHONE: (732) 462-0075 ext. 3, FAX: (732) 462-5274

Back to Basin Bulletin