CRP Sign-up Starts Aug. 30

USDA on Aug. 5 announced that the agency would be implementing the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) by offering early re-enrollments and contract extensions for acres that begin expiring in 2007. General sign-up for CRP will begin Aug. 30 and run through Sept. 24. Offers accepted under this sign-up will become effective Oct. 1, 2005, or Oct. 1, 2006, at the producer’s discretion.

More detailed information on the program and the general sign-up is available at local Farm Service Agency’s offices and at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crpinfo.htm.

The Conservation Reserve Program allows eligible farmers and ranchers to voluntarily establish long-term conservation practices on their operations. In exchange, they receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance for maintaining those practices.

In three years, 16 million acres under CRP contract will expire. Another 6 million acres will follow in 2008, 4 million in 2009 and 2 million in 2010. President Bush’s directive to offer early re-enrollment and extensions of existing contracts to current CRP participants underscores a commitment to full enrollment of CRP up to 39.2 million acres.

Comments Wanted

A request for public comment on various aspects of the Conservation Reserve Program will be published in the Federal Register in August. USDA is specifically seeking public comment on:

•     How to manage the large acreage set to expire from CRP;

•     How to manage future CRP sign-ups and acreage;

•     How to evaluate the program’s environmental effectiveness;

•     How to better utilize information technology such as Geographic Information Systems that evaluate acreage for enrollment; and

•     How to improve Conservation Reserve Program, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, through partnerships that better address local environmental issues.

The Federal Register notice and request and information for submitting comments is posted at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.