Additional Capacity to Support Partners and Producers In order to implement these changes, FSA has hired three new CREP staff members, using a regional approach to work closely with potential and existing partners and expand program availability. This program is a great vehicle for their conservation-focused efforts.
In total, more than , acres are enrolled in CREP. The rule also updated policy to now provide a full annual rental rate to producers who are impacted by state, Tribal or local laws, ordinances and regulations that require a resource conserving or environmental protection measure. The previous rule reduced the rental payment made to producers who were covered by such laws. In order to implement these changes, FSA has hired three new CREP staff members, using a regional approach to work closely with potential and existing partners and expand program availability.
The team members include:. This program is a great vehicle for their conservation-focused efforts. EQIP Nationwide. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.
This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them. Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.
Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations. While NRCS offers a broad suite of voluntary conservation practices and enhancements, the agency identifies a sub-set as critical to climate change mitigation. Producers and landowners interested in climate-smart agriculture and forestry are encouraged to contact the NRCS office at their local USDA Service Center for additional information, including one-on-one support specific to their operation.
Visit farmers. In fiscal year , Conservation Incentive Contracts are available to producers, nationwide. For more information, read the January 10, news release. A recently converted CRP field that has a high native plant diversity. This field will provide forage, wildlife, soil and water benefits. Some landowners may decide to convert their expired CRP land back to crops.
Before making this decision, consider the following. First, remember that to qualify for CRP originally, the land was classified as marginal for crop production and may have highly erodible soils. Thus, you should not expect high production from this land and significant steps should be in place to minimize erosion.
The local NRCS office can assist in establishing terraces, buffers and other practices to minimize erosion. Conservation tillage or no-till farming should be considered. Field buffers in particular should be considered. Not only do they minimize soil loss from the field, they provide wildlife habitat that will add to the value of the land.
Additionally, they will greatly increase the amount you can receive for lease hunting particularly for pheasant on that land. These programs are intended to provide risk management so farm income is more stable when commodity markets are low. A native grass field buffer between a soybean and corn field.
By taking a few acres out of production, the wildlife and economic potential of this site has been greatly expanded. Photo courtesy of Jason Sykes, Pheasants Forever. Grasslands and prairies were historically maintained by fire. In the absence of fire or some other periodic disturbance, trees such as eastern redcedar and mesquite will eventually invade the area. As these increase in number and size, the cost to remove them increases dramatically.
It is recommended to burn the grassland at least once every seven years to remove seedling trees. Besides native woody plants, there are nonnative invasive plants, such as Siberian elm and saltcedar that warrant control.
Check with the local NRCS office to identify any problem plants and get technical advice on control methods. There are many agencies and groups ready to help with technical assistance and, in some cases, can provide money to defray costs of management.
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