Sign-up for Conservation Reserve Program under way

A general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program has begun and will continue through Aug. 27, the USDA’s Racine Kenosha Milwaukee Farm Service Agency announced.

During the sign-up period, farmers and ranchers may offer eligible land for CRP’s competitive general sign-up at their county FSA office.

“Wisconsin’s farmers and ranchers play an important role in improving our environment, and for nearly 25 years, CRP has helped to build sound conservation practices that preserve the soil, provide clean water, and restore wildlife habitat,” said Kim Iczkowski, Racine Kenosha Milwaukee FSA County executive director. “Individuals interested in signing-up for CRP are encouraged to contact their local county FSA offices to schedule an appointment with our staff.”

CRP is a voluntary program that assists farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to use their environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolling in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers in exchange for rental payments, cost-share, and technical assistance. CRP protects millions of acres of America’s topsoil from erosion and is designed to improve the nation’s natural resources base. Participants voluntarily remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production by entering into long-term contracts for 10 to 15 years. In exchange, participants receive annual rental payments and a payment of up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing conservation practices.

By reducing water runoff and sedimentation, CRP also protects groundwater and helps improve the condition of lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. Acreage enrolled in the CRP is planted to resource-conserving vegetative covers, making the program a major contributor to wildlife population increases in many parts of the country. As a result, CRP has provided significant opportunities for hunting and fishing on private lands.

Land currently not enrolled in CRP may be offered in this sign-up provided all eligibility requirements are met. Additionally, current CRP participants with contracts expiring this fall covering about 4.5 million acres may make new contract offers. Contracts awarded under this sign-up are scheduled to become effective October 1, 2010.

Individuals interested in the CRP general sign-up are encouraged to call the Racine Kenosha Milwaukee FSA office at 262-878-3353 to schedule an appointment. For additional information, individuals can also visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.