|
 Protecting
grasslands with CRP not only benefits participants with annual
rental payments and cost share assistance; it also contributes
positively to the economy of many regions, builds biodiversity,
and provides important carbon sequestration benefits to deliver
lasting climate outcomes.
More than 2.4 million acres were enrolled through the 2022
Grassland CRP Signup from agricultural producers and private
landowners. That signup – the highest ever for the program–
reflects the continued success and value of investments in
voluntary, producer-led, working lands conservation programs.
The current total participation in Grassland CRP is 6.3 million
acres, which is part of the 23 million acres enrolled in CRP
opportunities overall.
Since 2021, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), which
administers all CRP programs, has made several improvements to
Grassland CRP to broaden the program’s reach, including:
Creating two National Priority Zones to put focus on
environmentally sensitive land such as that prone to wind
erosion.
Enhanced offers with 10 additional ranking points to producers
and landowners who are historically underserved, including
beginning farmers and military veterans.
Leverage the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to
engage historically underserved communities Tribal Nations in
the Great Plains.
Other CRP Signups
General CRP
General CRP signup closed on April 7. The program helps
producers and landowners establish long-term,
resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or
trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and
enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. Additionally, General CRP
includes a Climate-Smart Practice Incentive to help increase
carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
helping producers and landowners establish trees and permanent
grasses, enhance wildlife habitat, and restore wetlands.
Continuous CRP
Under Continuous CRP, producers and landowners can enroll in CRP
throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided
the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the
enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap. The
Climate-Smart Practice Incentive is also available in the
Continuous signup.
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FSA offers several additional enrollment
opportunities within Continuous CRP, including the State Acres for
Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative, the Farmable Wetlands
Program (FWP), and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
Also available is the Clean Lakes Estuaries and Rivers Initiative
CLEAR30 Initiative, which was originally piloted in twelve states
but has been expanded nationwide, allowing producers and landowners
to enroll in 30-year CRP contracts for water quality practices.
How to Sign Up
Landowners and producers interested in Grassland CRP, or any other
CRP enrollment option, should contact their local USDA Service
Center to learn more or to apply for the program before their
deadlines.
Producers with expiring CRP acres can use the Transition Incentives
Program (TIP), which incentivizes producers who sell or enter a
long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged
farmer or rancher who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land.
More Information
Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary
private-lands conservation programs in the United States. It was
originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and
potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out
of production. The program has evolved over the years, providing
many conservation and economic benefits.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive
ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming
America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local
and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers,
ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all
communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers
and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices,
making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy
capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the
Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce
more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
[Illinois/USDA - FPAC, Farm Service
Agency] |
