First, applications are open to apply for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding - be sure to submit your initial application by Feb. 3.

Now is also the time to contact a crop insurance agent if you're interested in purchasing Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) in 2017 - depending on where you are, your deadline is either Jan. 31, Feb. 28, or March 31.

Read on for details about both programs.

How does Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) work?
CSP is designed to encourage and reward resource-conserving practices such as planting cover crops, rotational grazing, or ecologically-based pest management. CSP also doesn't forget smaller producers: for folks who qualify for the program, the minimum contract payment is $1,500, no matter the acreage. This is a major farmer and rancher funding opportunity that rewards farmers for protecting and enhancing natural resources on their working lands.

To enroll in the 2017 program, submit an application to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) by Feb. 3. For this application, you don't have to know all of the details about the conservation practices that will be the best fit for you and your operation. Those details are worked out with NRCS later on in the process.

Resources on signing up for CSP

• You may find this Farmers' Guide to CSP helpful for more detail about what the program does and who is eligible.
• The form for the initial application is here, and this information alert has helpful tips on how to sign up.
• To get your application process started, get in touch with your local NRCS office - you can look up your local NRCS office here.

We will also publish information on re-enrollment for farmers and ranchers who want to renew their CSP contracts. Watch our website for more information!

Have you heard of Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP)?

What is it? WFRP is a new crop insurance product that rewards on-farm diversity. It makes crop insurance available for farms and crops where it hasn’t been available before, because it insures the revenue of the operation. It’s available in every county in the U.S.

Check out our webinars! The Center for Rural Affairs, in partnership with two crop insurance experts, developed six webinars for different audiences on how WFRP works and how it can benefit them.  Find the right webinar for you on the list below!

Webinars for producers:

• Insuring diversified fruit and vegetable production under Whole Farm Revenue Protection
• Insuring commodity production under Whole Farm Revenue Protection
• Insuring livestock under Whole Farm Revenue Protection

• Insuring diversified fruit and vegetable production under Whole Farm Revenue Protection
• Insuring commodity production under Whole Farm Revenue Protection
• Insuring livestock under Whole Farm Revenue Protection

• Learn what the crop insurance signup deadlines are in your area by searching here. The deadline for signing up for WFRP in 2017 is either Jan. 31, Feb. 28, or March 31, depending on where you live.
• Find a crop insurance agent by searching here.  There is some paperwork involved in setting up your policy, so don't delay in reaching out to your crop insurance agent to get the process started.
• USDA also has useful fact sheets, FAQs and handbooks on WFRP here on their website.