Farm Bill Programs:
Conservation Reserve Program

Purpose of Program

• The Conservation Reserve Program is a voluntary program where landowners enroll agricultural land in contracts in return for an annual rental payment.
• CRP can perform one of three functions:
  • 1. Take highly erodible or environmentally sensitive farmland out of production;
  • 2. Enroll working grasslands in a managed grazing program; or
  • 3. To restore wetland functions and vegetation on farmed land.

Eligibility

• All but federal lands are eligible.
• Farmland must have been cropped in 4 out of the last 6 years.
• Enrollment in general CRP is limited to announced signup periods.
• Enrollment in Continuous CRP program is open year round.
• Expiring CRP contracts are eligible.
• Retired farmers or ranchers can also transfer expiring CRP land to beginning, socially disadvantaged or veteran (ex-military) farmers and ranchers and receive 2 additional years of CRP payments. Certain conditions must be met.

Contracts and Cost-Share

• Contract Period - 10 to 15 years
• Cost Share - Most practices receive a 50% cost share with additional incentive payments for certain practices.
• Landowners also receive a rental payment during each year of the contract. Rental payments on retired farmlands run between $30-$40/acre, payments are based on soil type, with better soils receiving higher rents. Working grassland payments will be no more than 75% of the current grazing value.

Application Process

• CRP is run by the Farm Services Agency
• See link below

Common CRP Practices

• Establishment of permanent grasses and legumes (natives preferred)
• Permanent Wildlife Habitat
• Wildlife Wetland Habitat Management
• Shallow water areas for wildlife
• Grass field borders
• Riparian buffers
• Improved grazing management with deferments during spring fawning and nesting season for land enrolled in the Working Grasslands program

Documents

• After CRP Wildlife Economics
• After CRP Farming and Grazing Economics
• After CRP Land Management with Wildlife

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.