More than half a million Americans will receive payments for lands enrolled in the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The USDA will issue nearly $1.7 billion through the program to protect almost 24 million acres of wetlands, grasslands and wildlife habitat for 2016. “We have seen record demand to participate in this important program,” said Vilsack. “Despite the current enrollment … Read More
USDA Announces Measures for Pollinator Health
What better time than during National Pollinator Week for the USDA to announce two new initiatives to support the President’s National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honeybees and Other Pollinators. To date the most popular conservation program has resulted in at least 15 million acres of healthy habitat for pollinators. The USDA is also beginning a new partnership with … Read More
USDA Announces Conservation Program Results
More than 800,000 acres of land have been enrolled in the CRP program through the 49th sign up period. Farmers and ranchers continue to participate in the program to provide benefits offered by restoring land, protecting wildlife, and improving water quality. “The Conservation Reserve Program provides nearly $2 billion annually to land owners – dollars that make their way into … Read More
USDA Announces Additional 2016 CRP Funding
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack yesterday afternoon announced $150 million in funding is available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for agricultural producers. During the 2016 fiscal year, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to add an estimated 10 million acres to the rolls of CSP. “The Conservation Stewardship Program is one of our most popular programs with producers … Read More
December Marks 30 Years for CRP
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reminds farmers and ranchers that enrollment for CRP runs now through February 26, 2016. This month also marks the 30th anniversary for the federally funded program which provides funds for landowners to prevent soil erosion, protect wildlife, and restore habitat. As of September 2015, 24.2 million acres were enrolled in CRP. CRP also is protecting more … Read More
New Conservation Incentives Offered for Grass, Pastures
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering new conservation incentives for working grasslands, rangeland and pastureland. This news release says the areas will still be able to be maintained as livestock grazing lands. The CRP-Grasslands initiative will provide participants who establish long-term, resource-conserving covers with annual rental payments up to 75 percent of the grazing value of the land. … Read More
Vilsack Dedicates Additional Acres to CRP
Secretary Tom Vilsack has revealed that an additional 800,000 acres of highly environmentally sensitive land may be enrolled in CRP. Under certain wetland and wildlife initiatives owners may be eligible for multiple benefits on the same land. Sign-up for the program is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2015- Feb. 26, 2016. Current program participants whose contracts expire in Sept. 2015 will … Read More