Conservation Reserve Program

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) helps safeguard the nation's natural resources. By reducing water runoff and sedimentation CRP protects groundwater and improves the condition of lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. Landowners may use the cropland converted under the program to grow trees, wildlife habitat, grasses and legumes, or combinations of permanent covers.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing permanent covers and will pay an annual rental fee over a 10- 15 year period to participating landowners. Retired acreage may not be grazed, harvested or used in any commercial manner other than for hunting leases during the 10-year period.

Landowners may sign up for certain conservation practices during enrollment periods at the county FSA office. Enrollment in practices such as longleaf pine establishment, riparian forest buffers, wetland restoration, or bottomland timber establishment, are available year around. Offers for CRP contracts are ranked according to the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) or benefits to wildlife, water, and air quality. Each eligible offer is ranked in comparison to all other offers and selections made from that ranking.

Interested landowners can contact their local FSA office to see if they are eligible.