Farm Bill Programs:
Continuous Conservation Reserve Program

Purpose of Program

• The Continuous Conservation Reserve Program is a voluntary program that focuses on using grasses, trees, and wetlands to protect soil, improve air and water quality and enhance fish and wildlife habitat through the use of buffers, filter strips, windbreaks, and wildlife corridors.

Eligibility

• May be used on cropland or pastureland bordering streams, rivers, and lakes.
• All qualifying land will be accepted into the program.

Contracts and Cost-Share

• Contract Period - 10 to 15 years
• Cost Share - 50% cost share on qualifying practices. Annual $30-$40/acre rental payment over life of contract.

Application Process

• CCRP is run by the Farm Services Agency.
• CCRP applications can be filed year-round at local FSA/USDA Service Centers. See link below.

Common CCRP Practices

• Filter Strips - strips of grass used to intercept or trap sediment, pesticides or other pollutants.
• Riparian Buffers - streamside planting of trees, shrubs and grasses that intercept contaminants.
• Contour Buffer Strips - narrow bands of perennial vegetation established along the contours of a field and alternating with strips of crops. Can provide wildlife habitat.
• Grassed Waterways - strips of grass seeded into areas of cropland where water concentrates or flows off of a field. Traps sediment, pesticides or other pollutants.
• Farmable wetlands program includes wetlands constructed for nitrogen removal.

For more information contact:
Will Newman, Farm Bill Coordinator
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
(254) 718-7684
William.Newman@tpwd.texas.gov

Additional Links:

• Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS) - Contact information from the US Dept. of Agriculture Service Center Locator for Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies.
• Farm Service Agency - FSA website for Texas Farm Service Agency Directory.