CRP - Conservation Reserve Program

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. The program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with Federal, State, and tribal environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement. The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). CRP is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) providing technical land eligibility determinations, conservation planning and practice implementation.

The Conservation Reserve Program reduces soil erosion, protects the Nation's ability to produce food and fiber, reduces sedimentation in streams and lakes, improves water quality, establishes wildlife habitat, and enhances forest and wetland resources. It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filterstrips, or riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices.

CRP participants voluntarily enroll highly erodible and other fragile cropland in CRP 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.

For more information on CRP or to sign up producers should contact their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

CRP Continuous Sign-up

Environmentally desirable land devoted to certain conservation practices may be enrolled in CRP at any time under continuous sign-up. Offers are automatically accepted provided the land and producer meet certain eligibility requirements. Offers for continuous sign-up are not subject to competitive bidding. Continuous sign-up contracts are 10 to 15 years in duration.

To offer land for continuous sign-up, producers should contact their local FSA office.

In Cass County,

1665 43rd Street South
Suite 103
Fargo, ND 58104
701.282.2157 extension 2

To find your local office outside Cass County, visit, http://oip.usda.gov/scripts/ndisapi.dll/oip_agency/index?state=us&agency=fsa

Updated 12/18/2009