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CSP Signing Ceremonies

Conservation history was made on August 26 and 27 as celebrations were held in most of the 18 watersheds selected to participate in this inaugural year of the Conservation Security Program (CSP). Held on farms, ranches and in community centers around the nation, these events brought together state and national officials with the landowners who are making conservation a reality on the land. These celebratory signings mirror contracts that are being signed by NRCS with nearly 2,200 farmers and ranchers in 22 states. Cumulatively these contracts represent natural resource protection on nearly 1.9 million privately-owned acres, an area about one and a quarter the size of Delaware.

Enrollment data show that 37% of the applicants qualify for Tier I, 40% for Tier II and 23% for Tier III. Environmental enhancement activities being undertaken by applicants include improving soil quality, water quality, wildlife habitat management, nutrient and pest management, air quality management and on-farm energy management.

Below are photos from individual signing ceremonies. For more information, see the state CSP Web sites.

Front Row (Left to Right): Jason, Adam and Jake Pahl. Back Row (Left to Right): Peggy and Jim Pahl (contract signers), Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Jim Moseley, and Lyle and Thelma Pahl. Minnesota
The Pahl Farm is a cash-grain operation in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Jim and Peggy Pahl and Jim's parents Lyle and Thelma Pahl have 137 acres adjacent to the Blue Earth River. They raise corn and soybeans. Their work with crop residue management has resulted in a positive soil conditioning index. They do regular soil testing and minimize pesticides using pest resistant varieties. The Minnesota signing, the first CSP signing in the country, was attended by Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Jim Moseley.

Front Row (Left to Right): Jason, Adam and Jake Pahl. Back Row (Left to Right): Peggy and Jim Pahl (contract signers), Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Jim Moseley, and Lyle and Thelma Pahl.

Minnesota CSP Web Site

Karen and Richard Gadke hold their plaque while Illinois State Conservationist Bill Gradle looks on.Illinois
Karen and Richard Gadke hold their plaque while Illinois State Conservationist Bill Gradle looks on. The Gadke's 240-acre farm, highlighting sustainable agriculture with a commitment to soil protection, wildlife, and water quality, was the site of the signing ceremony.

Karen and Richard Gadke hold their plaque while Illinois State Conservationist Bill Gradle looks on. The Gadke's 240-acre farm, highlighting sustainable agriculture with a commitment to soil protection, wildlife, and water quality, was the site of the signing ceremony.

Illinois CSP Web Site

 

NRCS Chief Bruce Knight signs the first of 147 contracts in the East Nishnabotna Watershed.Iowa
Held Friday morning at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic, the ceremony marked the first of the contracts in the watershed that will provide conservation incentive payments on 34,729 acres that will total $1,089,938.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Chief Bruce Knight signs the first of 147 approved Conservation Security Program contracts in the East Nishnabotna Watershed with Kurt Johnson of Audubon County. Looking on is Richard Van Klaveren, NRCS Iowa State Conservationist, Mark Halverson, Chief Agricultural Aide to Senator Tom Harkin, and Iowa Fifth District Congressman Steve King.

Iowa CSP Web Site
 

Left to Right: Anna Baker, held by father Mark Baker, Lisa Baker (wife of Mark Baker) and the Baker brothers (also operators at Borderview Farms) Phil Baker and Dan Baker.Michigan
The CSP signing at  Borderview Farms in Waldron, MI, was part of the St. Jospeh CSP watershed. Mark Baker is the principal owner/operator of the farm, brothers Phil and Dan also operate the farm.

Left to Right: Anna Baker, held by father Mark Baker, Lisa Baker (wife of Mark Baker) and the Baker brothers (also operators at Borderview Farms) Phil Baker and Dan Baker.



 Left to Right: Owner of Borderview Farms (Waldron, MI) Mark Baker with USDA Director of Intergovernmental Affairs James Eichhorst (signing) and acting State Conservationist Barry Kintzer.Left to Right: Owner of Borderview Farms (Waldron, MI) Mark Baker with USDA Director of Intergovernmental Affairs James Eichhorst (signing) and acting State Conservationist Barry Kintzer.



Michigan CSP Web Site


 

 

Jim Squires signs Montana's first CSP contract.Montana
Jim Squires, a Tier III CSP Partner, has used many innovate farming methods to raise wheat, barley and safflower on his farm near Glendive, Montana. Some of those methods include the early adoption of no-till farming, and the application of enzymes to improve the actin of soil micro-organisms. Jim Squires believes that if you take care of the land, the land will take care of you. 

Jim Squires signs Montana's first CSP contract.





 Montana State Conservationist Dave White with Jim Squires on the Squires Farm.Montana State Conservationist Dave White with Jim Squires on the Squires Farm.

Montana State Web Site





 

 

The McLeans in front of their farm.Washington
Working farmland that has been in their family since 1898, the McLean’s qualified for Tier III -- the highest tier of the program -- through their use of conservation practices including, direct-seeding, prescribed grazing, annual soil testing, precise nutrient application, reduced pesticide application, integrated pest management using pest resistant plant varieties and noxious weed control.

The McLean’s (from left to right: Dean, Linda, Lee, Cheyenne, Bill and Bev), shown here at their farmstead near Coulee City, were recognized by NRCS as Washington’s first Conservation Security Program (CSP) participants at a signing ceremony in Spokane, August 26th.

Washington CSP Web Site

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