Beech Tree News Network

Lexington, KY, May 13, 2013 — Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director John W. McCauley reminds landowners, farmers, and ranchers that the opportunity to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up 45 begins Monday, May 20 and ends June 14. Producers who want to offer eligible land for CRP's competitive general sign-up may enroll at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office where their farm records are maintained. 

CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion, and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA provides participants with rental payments and costshare assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Producers with expiring contracts and producers with environmentally sensitive land are encouraged to evaluate their options under CRP.

CRP continues to make major contributions to national efforts to improve water and air quality, prevent soil erosion by protecting the most sensitive areas including those prone to flash flooding and runoff. At the same time, CRP has helped increase populations of pheasants, quail, ducks, and other rare species, like the sage grouse, the lesser prairie chicken, and others.

Producers that are accepted in the sign-up can receive cost-share assistance for planting covers and receive an annual rental payment for the length of the contract (10-15 years). Producers also are encouraged to look into CRP’s other enrollment opportunities offered on a continuous, non-competitive, sign-up basis. Continuous sign-ups often provide additional financial assistance. Those sign-up dates will be announced later.

For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit your local FSA county office or

www.fsa.usda.gov.