Conservation Reserve Program Sign Up Deadline Approaches
Conservation Reserve Program Sign Up Deadline Approaches
Agricultural producers and private landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can sign up for the program until February 12, 2021. The competitive program, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes.
Through CRP, farmers and ranchers establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. Farmers and ranchers who participate in CRP help provide numerous benefits to their local region and the nation’s environment and economy.
CRP general signup is held annually and is competitive. FSA will rank offers for the CRP general enrollment period according to the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). FSA collects data (primarily based on location, soils information and selected conservation practice) and determines the environmental indices for the land offered. After the enrollment period ends, the Secretary of Agriculture will decide where to make the EBI cutoff.
New cropland offered in the program must have been planted for four out of six crop years from 2012 to 2017. Additionally, producers with land already enrolled but expiring on September 30, 2021, can re-enroll this year. The acreage offered by producers and landowners is evaluated competitively via the EBI; accepted offers will begin October 1, 2021.
For more information about FSA programs, contact the Grant County FSA office at 432-6570, ext. two or visit www.farmers.gov.
