USDA Announces CRP Sign-up

USDA announced yesterday that a general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will run from August 2 to August 27 of this year, according to the press release.  Congress, in the 2008 Farm Bill, has authorized USDA to maintain CRP enrollment at 32 million acres.

The CRP "is a voluntary program that assists farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to use their environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits."  Participants volunteer to "remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production by entering into long-term contracts for 10-15 years.  In exchange, participants receive annual rental payments and a payment of up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing conservation practices."

Eligible farmers may enroll new land or re-enroll land from contracts set to expire on September 30 at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.  New contracts awarded will become effective on October 1, 2010.  FSA will evaluate and rank all land offered for enrollment using an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI).  "The EBI consists of five environmental factors (wildlife, water, soil, air, and enduring benefits) and cost."

To read the USDA press release. click here.

Posted: 07/27/2010