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.
