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Ohio's Upper Great Miami River Watershed and Pennsylvania's Shenango Watershed, which reaches into Ohio, have been selected for the 2006 Conservation Security Program (CSP).

The voluntary program provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation of natural resources on working lands. Eligible producers will be able to sign up for the program in early fiscal year 2006. A sign-up announcement will be published and will detail specific program requirements in the watershed.

The 2006 CSP will include a renewable energy component. Producers will receive compensation for converting to renewable energy fuels such as bio-diesel and ethanol, recycling 100 percent of on-farm lubricants and implementing energy production, including wind, solar, geothermal and methane.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner said CSP demonstrates a successful public-private conservation partnership.

"Natural resource conservation efforts by America's producers benefit everyone through healthier soil, cleaner air and water and improved fish and wildlife habitat," he said.

The Upper Great Miami River Watershed contains almost 6,000 farms and more than 1.15 million acres of farmland. The watershed spans 10 counties including Auglaize, Logan, Shelby, Champaign, Clark, Miami, Montgomery, Hardin, Mercer and Darke. The Shenango Watershed includes portions of Ashtabula, Trumbull, and Mahoning counties

For more information on CSP, visit www.ofbf.org and click Featured Links.