Conservation Reserve Program

 

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985 and was reauthorized by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. The program is also governed by regulations published in 7 CFR, part 1410. The program is implemented by Farm Service Agency on behalf of USDAs Commodity Credit Corporation. CRP is a voluntary program that contracts with agricultural producers so that environmentally sensitive agricultural land is not farmed or ranched, but instead devoted to conservation benefits. The objective is to protect the Nation's long-term capability to produce food and fiber; to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, improve water quality, and create or enhance habitat for wildlife.

Active 10.069 Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture C - Direct Payments For Specified Use; D - Direct Payments With Unrestricted Use Not applicable. Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, Section 1231, Public Law -110-246, 16 U.S.C. 3831-3835a
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334 Eligible participants may include: o individual o trust - revocable o general partnership o State and local government o joint venture o churches, charities, and non-profit organizations o corporation o public school o limited liability company o BIA or Indian represented by BIA o limited partnership o trust - irrevocable o limited liability partnership o individual operating a small business o limited liability limited partnership o Indian tribal venture. o estate Payment limitation, adjusted gross income provisions and certain payment eligibility requirements apply. If their offer is accepted for enrollment, an individual, partnership, association, Indian Tribal ventures, corporation, estate, trust, other business enterprises or other legal entities and, whenever applicable, a State, political subdivision of State, or any agency thereof may earn benefits. Producers have the opportunity to offer certain land for CRP annually during announced enrollment periods for certain competitive enrollment. Offers are then ranked competitively against all other offers according to certain criteria. Producers with offers that meet ranking and eligibility criteria are selected for contracts. Producers with certain environmentally sensitive land devoted to certain conservation practices may be enrolled in CRP at any time. Certain eligibility requirements apply but offers are not subject to a competitive offer process. Criteria for application and selection varies based on enrollment method and offer type. Land and producer eligibility vary based on the method of enrollment and offer type. In general, land must be owned or operated for not less than 12 months prior to the close of the signup period for competitive enrollment, or before the signup begins for non-competitive enrollment unless the land was acquired by will or succession or FSA determines that ownership was not acquired for the purpose of placing the land in the CRP. Certain other conditions may apply depending on enrollment method and offer type. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. FSA has two major methods for enrolling acreage in the CRP. The first method is competitive (general signup and CRP Grasslands). The second method is non-competitive (continuous signup, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Farmable Wetlands Program, etc...). Each method has specific enrollment provisions such as land eligibility criteria. For all signups, potential participants must submit an offer for enrollment at the local FSA county office or USDA service center. Enrollment through a competitive offer process is conducted during designated signup periods and occurs when the Secretary of Agriculture announces USDA will accept offers for enrollment. Offers from potential CRP participants are ranked against each other at the national level. Ranking is based on the environmental benefits expected to result from the proposed conservation practices and expected costs. Each offer is assigned a score using ranking factors designed to reflect the expected environmental benefits and costs. The offer process is competitive and not all offers will necessarily rank high enough to be selected for enrollment in CRP. For practices and land with especially high environmental value, enrollment on a non-competitive basis is usually available year-round without ranking periods. This type of signup is focused on environmentally sensitive land and offers are not ranked against each other. FSA will notify producers whose offers are determined acceptable as soon as practicable after the close of the signup for offers submitted through a competitive enrollment. For offers submitted through a non-competitive enrollment, FSA will notify producers as soon as practicable after all documents are submitted by the producer and all other producer, practice and land eligibility determinations are completed. Not applicable. From 7 to 120 days. Producers may appeal any determination to county FSA committee, State committee, or National Appeals Division. Matters that are generally applicable to all producers are not appealable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Eligible owners or operators may place highly erodible or other environmentally sensitive land into a 10-15 year contract. The participant, in return for annual payments, agrees to implement a conservation plan approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service for converting highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive land to a long-term resource conserving cover i.e., eligible land must be planted with a vegetative cover, such as, perennial grasses, legumes, fobs, shrubs, or trees. Financial and technical assistance are available to participants to assist in the establishment of a long- term resource conserving cover. Not applicable. Not applicable. Maintained in county FSA office and Federal Record centers for a specified number of years. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. In general, annual rental payments are made for 10-15 years. If cost-share assistance to establish the appropriate cover is requested, a payment is made after it is determined that the practice is installed according to an approved conservation plan. FSA may provide certain incentives for buffers, wetlands or other environmentally sensitive lands. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Annually and based on performance. Annually and based on performance. Consult the appropriate FSA State office where the property is located. For a list of FSA State offices with telephone numbers and addresses, information is available on the internet, visit FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov to locate nearest office. Beverly Preston
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20250 US
Beverly.Preston@usda.gov
Phone: 202-720-9563 (office) http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/index 12-1004-0-1-302 (Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use) FY 22$1,808,436,000.00; FY 23 est $2,173,925,000.00; FY 24 est $2,254,231,000.00; FY 21$2,090,000,000.00; FY 20$1,853,886.00; FY 19$1,901,726,000.00; FY 18$1,953,083,000.00; FY 17$1,881,845,000.00; FY 16$2,120,000,000.00; - Not applicable/available. Program is announced through news media and in letters to agricultural producers in the county. Regulations published in the Federal Register, 7 CFR Part 1410. Not applicable.