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News Release - Indiana

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service

6013 Lakeside Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN  46278
www.in.nrcs.usda.gov

It’s Not Too Early To Re-Enroll In The Conservation Reserve Program

INDIANAPOLIS, December 1, 2011 – As of 2011, Indiana has just over 277,000 acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).  Established in 1985 to protect highly erodible and other environmentally-sensitive lands, the CRP has improved water and air quality, created valuable habitat for many species of wildlife and prevented soil erosion by protecting areas that are prone to flooding and runoff.

 

By September 30, 2012 over 36,357 of those acres in CRP contracts will have expired.  The number jumps to nearly 50,000 acres in 2013.  During the last year of a CRP contract (CRP-1) acreage currently enrolled can be offered for reenrollment into CRP for another 10 to 15 year period depending on the practice. 

 

Good farm land management and wildlife management go hand in hand.  Continuous CRP (CCRP) can diversify farm income and maintain environmental benefits.  CCRP includes many practices such as field windbreaks, grassed waterways, water areas for wildlife, living snow fence, shelterbelt establishment, filter strips, riparian forest buffer, wetland restoration, habitat buffers, and more.  By combining multiple CCRP practices on the same field it may be possible to maximize re-enrolled acres on expiring CRP.  Landowners should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) www.in.nrcs.usda.gov office for planning assistance.

 

Under CCRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) www.fsa.usda.gov may enroll eligible land devoted to certain conservation practices at any time.  The FSA accepts qualified offers without a bid process.  The CCRP contracts are for 10-to-15 years and may pay an enhanced rental rate.

 

CRP protects millions of acres of American topsoil from erosion and is designed to safeguard the Nation's natural resources.  By reducing water runoff and sedimentation, CRP protects groundwater and helps improve the condition of lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. USDA estimates that contracts on 3.3 million to 6.5 million acres are scheduled to expire annually between now and 2014.

 

For more information on Continuous CRP enrollment, please contact your local FSA office or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.

 

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Contacts:            

Rick Kelley (317) 290-3030, Ext. 213 rick.kelley@in.usda.gov

Rebecca Fletcher (317) 290-3200, Ext. 325 rebecca.fletcher@in.usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.