Re-enroll in CRP Program

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says farmers and ranchers can re-enroll or extend their Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts expiring in 2007 through 2010.  In spring 2006, Farm Service Agency will write to CRP producers with contracts expiring Sept. 30, 2007, to discuss whether those contracts are eligible for re-enrollment or extension.     

To determine who might be able to re-enroll or extend their CRP contract, Farm Service Agency will use the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) that was in place when the contracts were first written.  This measuring system assigns point scores to the contracts and then nationally ranks all CRP land enrollment offers.  Several environmental outcomes factor into EBI point scores such as improving wildlife habitat, water quality, and air quality and reducing soil erosion.

EBI scores are divided into five ranking tiers.  For example, in the first tier,  producers in the top 20 percent can re-enroll their land in new contracts and farmers and ranchers with wetlands in this ranking can receive contract terms of 10- to 15- years.

A list of CRP acres by state with contracts expiring in 2007-2010 can be found at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crp.htm.