WASHINGTON, DC – The cornerstone of government conservation initiatives is the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) from USDA. Established in the 1985 Farm Bill, CRP is a cost-share and rental payment program whereby landowners are paid to take marginal cropland out of production, converting it instead to vegetative cover. The purpose of the program is to reduce land erosion, improve water quality and affect wildlife benefits. Last year, USDA announced an open enrollment period for the General Signup period providing an opportunity to enroll land for the first time or re-enroll land under existing contracts that expire at the end of September (2021). The signup, originally set to end next week, is being extended as USDA will continue to accept offers while the incoming Administration evaluates ways to increase enrollment and overcome an expected shortfall of over 4 million acres. Before the General CRP signup period ends, producers will have the opportunity to adjust or resubmit their offers to take advantage of planned improvements to the program. Details are available at Farmers.gov.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)