Conservation Reserve Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary USDA program which contracts directly with landowners and operators to cost-effectively implement conservation practices that conserve and improve the nation’s natural resources. The program’s objectives are to protect the nation's long-term capacity to produce food and fiber; to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, improve water quality, and create or enhance wildlife habitat.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Unrestricted by Individual Type
- Unrestricted by Entity Type
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
Eligible participants may include: individual; trust – revocable; trust – irrevocable; general partnership; State and local government; joint venture; churches, charities, and non-profit organizations; corporations; public schools; limited liability companies; BIA or Indian represented by BIA; limited partnerships; limited liability partnership; individuals operating a small business; limited liability limited partnerships; Indian tribal ventures.
Estate Payment limitation, adjusted gross income provisions and certain payment eligibility requirements apply.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
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 producers, practice and land eligibility determinations are completed.
From 7 to 120 days.
Program details & compliance
Description
Participants receive payments to take environmentally sensitive land out of production and implement conservation practices that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and support wildlife habitat, helping protect the nation’s long-term capacity to produce food and water.
Mission Categories
Primary: Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation
Other categories:
Water ConservationConservationLand and Forest ConservationFish and Wildlife Preservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Eligible landowners 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 (NRCS) 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.
Required Documentation
Agriculture producers can offer land for CRP during announced annual signup periods for competitive and non-competitive signup types. Under general and grassland CRP signups, offers are ranked competitively against all other offers according to certain criteria. Producers with eligible offers meeting a ranking cutoff determined by the Secretary of Agriculture are selected for contracts. Under continuous CRP signups, offers are not subject to a competitive offer process. Producers with environmentally sensitive land meeting certain eligibility requirements may be enrolled in certain conservation practices at any time. Criteria for application and selection varies based on the enrollment method and offer type. Land and producer eligibility requirements vary based on the signup and offer type. 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.
Land and producer eligibility requirements vary based on the signup 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.