USDA Announces General Registration of CRPs to Enhance America’s Wildlife, Water, Soil, and Climate Resources

The registration period runs from February 27 to April 7.

The US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) has announced a new general enrollment period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) which will run from February 27 to April 7, 2023. The CRP has long been the nation’s most important tool for environmental targeting sensitive lands with conservation practices that produce habitat for wildlife, cleaner waters, healthier soils and a more resilient climate. Owners should visit the nearest USDA Service Center for more information on general CRP eligibility.

“CRP has always been a key tool for American farmers, ranchers and landowners,” said Jim Inglis, director of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “CRP allows growers to enroll hard-to-farm acres in the program to improve wildlife habitat, soil health, water quality, and climate resiliency, and is a key part of the economic safety net for farms. rural communities. As the country seeks to improve its ecological impacts and its economic position, the CRP should be celebrated as a method to reinforce both sides of the equation”.

The Conservation Reserves Program has supported wildlife populations and rural communities since President Ronald Reagan signed the CRP into law on December 23, 1985. There are currently 23 million registered acres with a cap of 27 million registered acres. acres set for fiscal year 2023. In addition, growers and property owners can enroll acres under continuous registration, including sought practices such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative. ).

The Farm Service Agency will also announce dates for Grassland CRP registration in the coming weeks. Grassland CRP is a working land program that helps landowners and operators protect grasslands, including rangeland and pasture, while maintaining the areas as working grazing land.

“The Conservation Reserve Program is one of the largest private land conservation programs in the United States, offering a variety of options to farmers, ranchers and landowners,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “CRP has been and continues to be an excellent choice for farmers with marginal or less productive cropland, helping them re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and support habitat for life. wild. Under this administration, we have made several updates to the program to increase grower interest and enrollment, strengthen the climate benefits of the program, and help ensure underserved growers can find a pathway into the CRP.”

The welcome news also comes as The Habitat Organization gears up for the 2023 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, the annual celebration of upland conservation taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 17-19. Featuring a landowner workshop and habitat helpdesk, the event is a great opportunity for landowners to learn more about CRP and begin the registration process with the help of a professional wildlife biologist. .

To locate one of the more than 325 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever biologists in the United States and begin drawing up a conservation plan, visit our biologist locator to search by zip code.

About Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 400,000 members, supporters, and partners is dedicated to protecting our highlands through habitat improvement, public access, education, and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent—the only national conservation organization to operate through this grassroots structure. Since its inception in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to more than 575,000 habitat projects benefiting 24 million acres.