The latest general enrollment period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is underway and will end on Feb. 26, 2016. As such, producers with expiring contracts and producers with environmentally sensitive land are encouraged to evaluate their options under this program.
Over the past 30 years, farmers, ranchers, conservationists, hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts have made CRP one of the most successful conservation programs in the history of the country. Currently a little over 24 million acres across the U.S. are enrolled in CRP, with more than 170,000 stream miles protected by riparian forests and grass buffers, enough to go around the world 7 times.
Participants establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species (grass or trees) on marginal agricultural land to control soil erosion, improve air and water quality and develop wildlife habitat. In return, the Farm Service Agency provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years.
At times when commodity prices are low, enrolling sensitive lands in CRP can be especially attractive, as it softens the economic hardship for landowners at the same time that it provides ecological benefits.
For more information on FSA conservation programs, visit the FSA Office or fsa.usda.gov/conservation.
Important Dates
Dec. 7 - County Committee LAA #3 Election Ballot return deadline
Dec. 9 - Rock County Committee Election Ballot counting at FSA Office - 9 am
Dec. 25 - FSA Office closed for Christmas Day
Jan. 1 - FSA Office closed for New Year’s Day
Jan. 2 - 2016 Honey Acreage certification deadline
Jan. 30 - 2015 LIP sign-up deadline
Jan. 30 - CRP “Early Out” request deadline
Feb. 1 - 2014 and 2015 ARC-CO Payment recalculation request deadline
Feb. 1 - 2016 NAP Maple Sap sales deadline
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