The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that agricultural producers and landowners can now sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). USDA calls CRP a key tool in the Biden-Harris Administration’s effort to address climate change and achieve other natural resource benefits.
The General CRP signup begins today, January 31, and remains open through March 11. Then the Grassland CRP signup will run from April 4 to May 13.
Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Zach Ducheneaux, says farmers should call ahead for CRP signup appointments.
Producers and landowners enrolled 4.6 million acres into CRP last year, including 2.5 million acres in the largest Grassland CRP signup in history. There are currently 22.1 million acres enrolled, and FSA aims to reach the 25.5-million-acre cap statutorily set for fiscal year 2022.
General CRP helps producers and landowners establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat.? Farmers and landowners interested in CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or apply for the program.