Auburn, Ala.– Alabama’s Natural Resources and Conservation Service has announced April 17, 2009, as the first batching period for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). Applying for GRP is continuous; however, batching dates are established to evaluate and select applications for funding. If you want consideration for 2009 funding, you must submit an application by close of business on April 17, 2009. Landowners can apply for GRP at local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices throughout Alabama. The Grassland Reserve Program is jointly administered by NRCS and FSA.
GRP is a voluntary program to assist landowners and operators of private and tribal lands in restoring, protecting, and enhancing grassland, rangeland, pastureland, shrub land, and certain other lands through rental contracts and easements. The program offers producers several enrollment options:
(1) Rental contracts (duration of 10-years, 15-years, or 20-years)
(2) Easements (permanent or maximum duration authorized by State law)
Applications will be ranked according to the GRP ranking tool and participants will be required to implement a grazing management plan approved by NRCS.
Interested landowners can contact their local NRCS or FSA office listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture or online at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov. General program information is available on the Alabama NRCS website at www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.