Michigan Ag Connection - National/World News - Conservation Reserve Program Signup Begins Dec. 9

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Conservation Reserve Program Signup Begins Dec. 9
USAgNet - 12/06/2019

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the USDA is opening signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on Dec. 9. The deadline for agricultural producers to sign up for general CRP is Feb. 28, while signup for continuous CRP is ongoing.

Farmers and ranchers who enroll in CRP receive a yearly rental payment for voluntarily establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees (known as "covers") to control soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive agricultural lands.

"The Conservation Reserve Program is one of our nation's largest conservation endeavors and a critical tool to help producers better manage their operations while conserving natural resources," Perdue said. "The program marks its 35-year anniversary in 2020, and we're hoping to see one of our largest signups in many years."

CRP has 22 million acres enrolled, but the 2018 Farm Bill lifted the cap to 27 million acres. This means farmers and ranchers have a chance to enroll in CRP for the first time or continue their participation for another term.

Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the U.S. The program was originally primarily intended to control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production. This Farm Bill program has evolved over the years, providing a variety of conservation and economic benefits from coast to coast.

By enrolling in CRP, producers are improving water quality, reducing soil erosion, and restoring habitat for wildlife. This in turn spurs hunting, fishing, recreation, tourism, and other economic development across rural America.

CRP general signup will be held annually. The competitive general signup will now include increased opportunities for enrollment of wildlife habitat through the State Acres For Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative.

Land enrolled in CRP under a 15-year contract that expired in September 2017, 2018 or 2019, may be eligible for enrollment if there was no opportunity for re-enrollment and the practice under the expired contract has been maintained.

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