Ag Secretary Urges Conservation Reserve Program Sign-up
Signup starts Monday for program that pays producers to preserve fragile lands.
Compiled by staff
Published: Mar 27, 2006
USDA starts a new signup for the Conservation Reserve Program today through April 14. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns notes that the sign-up "underscores President Bush's commitment to enrolling the maximum amount of acreage" in the CRP.
Johanns adds: "I strongly encourage all eligible farmers to continue improving our soil, water, air and wildlife habitat resources by applying for CRP at local Farm Service Agency offices." CRP participants voluntarily enroll highly erodible and other fragile cropland through long-term contracts of 10 to 15 years. On the enrolled land, participants plant grasses, trees and other vegetation. In exchange, participants receive annual rental payments and a payment of up to 50% of the cost of establishing conservation covers.
Currently, 36 million acres are in the program and it's nearing the maximum allowable 39.2 million acres. USDA reports the program prevents 450 million tons of soil from eroding each year. By reducing water runoff and sedimentation, CRP also safeguards drinking water supplies.
As in previous signups, the Farm Service Agency will evaluate eligible CRP offers with the Environmental Benefits Index - a ranking of the land's contribution to improving soil retention, water quality, wildlife habitat and air quality.
There is limited acreage available for enrollment. FSA encourages landowners to work with their local FSA office to maximize the environmental benefits of their CRP offers. During the last CRP general sign-up, held Aug. 30 to Sept. 24, 2004, enrollment offers were highly competitive. Of the 1.7 million acres offered, FSA selected 1.2 million acres that offered the greatest environmental benefits. Offers accepted will become effective Oct. 1, 2006. You can learn more at www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crpinfo.htm.
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Tagged: CRP, FSA, usda, farm, Farm Service Agency
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