What are the different ranking pools for CSP?
Some applicants will be pooled for ranking into several special pools. The new CSP offers a pool of funds for applicants in control of non-industrial private forest lands (10% of the total 12.8 million acres allowed annually into the program). Also, if state NRCS offices have elected to divide the state into sub-regions with separate priority resources of concern, applicants will be ranked in that sub-region. Additionally, separate pools for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and beginning farmers or ranchers are established in each state. For each of these two pools, 5% of the available program acreage is available and ranking will occur within these pools and separate from the general ranking procedure in the state.