*Previously published from the United States Department of Agriculture

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners monitored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  Through CRP, you can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term resource conserving cover on eligible farmland.  Eligibility is determined through an environmental benefit index (EBI) that establishes the benefit to the environment for factors such as water and wind erosion, wildlife enhancement, ect.  The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) makes annual rental payments based on the agricultural rental value of the land, and it provides cost-share assistance for up to 50 percent of the participant’s costs in establishing approved conservation practices.  Participants enroll in CRP contracts for 10 to 15 years.  The program is administered by the CCC through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and program support is provided by Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cooperative State Research and Education Extension Service, state forestry agencies, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

An important subset of CRP is the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program – or CREP.  CREP uses unique State, Federal, and private partnerships that allow participants to receive incentive payments for installing state-specific targeted conservation practices.  Nationwide, 773,000 acres are enrolled in CREP in 27 States that have developed 34 partnership agreements with FSA.

These conservation practices are very desirable for improving natural habitat for wildlife and can add value to the property as a result.