Opportunity Knocks: CRP General Signup Window Dec 9 - Feb 28
Starting Monday, December 9th, private landowners from around the country will have the opportunity to visit their local FSA offices and apply for the Conservation Reserve Program. An important part of the federal Farm Bill, CRP is arguably the most successful private land conservation program anywhere in the world. CRP was originally written into the 1985 Farm Bill to remove highly erodible fields from production and establish what the FSA office will call Conservation Cover, which just means grass or other perennial vegetation. CRP has evolved over the years to help farmers address not only concerns about erosion, but also to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Landowners sign up to remove a field (or part of a field) from production for 10-15 years, and in return they get an annual rental payment from the USDA, plus technical assistance and cost share to establish and manage the Conservation Cover. An absolutely gorgeous CRP field in Defiance county is full of purple con...
