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Grassland CRP Signup to open April 17
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can now apply for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup starting April 17 through May 26, 2023. Among CRP enrollment opportunities, Grassland CRP is unique as a working lands program, allowing producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and promoting plant and animal biodiversity and conservation.
Protecting grasslands with CRP not only benefits participants with annual rental payments and cost share assistance; it also contributes positively to the economy of many regions, builds biodiversity, and provides important carbon sequestration benefits to deliver lasting climate outcomes.
More than 2.4 million acres were enrolled through the 2022 Grassland CRP Signup from agricultural producers and private landowners. That signup – the highest ever for the program– reflects the continued success and value of investments in voluntary, producer-led, working lands conservation programs. The current total participation in Grassland CRP is 6.3 million acres, which is part of the 23 million acres enrolled in CRP opportunities overall.
Since 2021, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers all CRP programs, has made several improvements to Grassland CRP to broaden the program’s reach, including:
- Creating two National Priority Zones to put focus on environmentally sensitive land such as that prone to wind erosion.
- Enhanced offers with 10 additional ranking points to producers and landowners who are historically underserved, including beginning farmers and military veterans.
- Leverage the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to engage historically underserved communities Tribal Nations in the Great Plains
Other CRP Signups
General CRP
General CRP signup closed on April 7. The program helps producers and landowners establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. Additionally, General CRP includes a Climate-Smart Practice Incentive to help increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping producers and landowners establish trees and permanent grasses, enhance wildlife habitat, and restore wetlands.
Continuous CRP
Under Continuous CRP, producers and landowners can enroll in CRP throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap. The Climate-Smart Practice Incentive is also available in the Continuous signup.
FSA offers several additional enrollment opportunities within Continuous CRP, including the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative, the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP), and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Also available is the Clean Lakes Estuaries and Rivers Initiative CLEAR30 Initiative, which was originally piloted in twelve states but has been expanded nationwide, allowing producers and landowners to enroll in 30-year CRP contracts for water quality practices.
How to Sign Up
Landowners and producers interested in Grassland CRP, or any other CRP enrollment option, should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before their deadlines.
Producers with expiring CRP acres can use the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), which incentivizes producers who sell or enter a long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land.
The Emergency Relief Program Phase 2 (ERP 2) is a revenue-based program that relies on tax and financial records instead of the production history FSA programs usually require. Join USDA and members of the National Farm Income Tax Extension Committee for a discussion on completing the ERP 2 application form and guidance on where advanced tax and accounting knowledge may be required. Join us for this free webinar:
USDA Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) presents the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 Application Webinar
Monday, May 1, 2023, 2 pm Eastern
Register here
Let’s Showcase Your Story Online
It’s that time of year again, and we want to showcase your planting season on social media and blogs. To participate, just send us a photo and a bit of information. Learn more: farmers.gov/blog/share-your-plant-2023-stories.
Register for Free National Gardening Month Webinar
on April 26 at 3 p.m. ET
The People’s Garden webinar series will begin on April 26 at 3 p.m. ET and will feature experts from USDA and beyond who will share planting tips and resources that benefit community gardens. We’ll also share on-the-ground stories of gardens making a difference by growing fresh, nutritious food for their communities. Webinars will be recorded and available for viewing on our website.
Register for the April 26 webinar and preview topics for upcoming monthly webinars at usda.gov/peoples-garden/webinars
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