Conservation Reserve Program Signup Results Announced

You are subscribed to WA - News Releases for USDA Farm Service Agency.

This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USFSA-8f2a0

Conservation Reserve Program Signup Results Announced

06/15/2011 04:58 PM EDT

For Immediate Release
June 15, 2011

Contact:
Rod Hamilton
509-323-3015
rod.hamilton@wa.usda.gov
Conservation Reserve Program Signup Results Announced

(Spokane, WA) June 15, 2011 – More than 90,000 acres of Washington state’s environmentally fragile land has recently been accepted into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under the 41^st general signup.

Administered by the Farm Service Agency, the CRP is a voluntary program encouraging agricultural landowners to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover. Landowners receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term conservation practices on eligible farmland.

“Even with the recent high grain prices, Washington farmers and ranchers realize that some of the land may have greater value as wildlife habitat,” said FSA Washington State Executive Director Judy Olson. “Wildlife habitat on private lands has proven to be one of the greatest benefits in our state.”

CRP is a national program, and producers offer competitive bids to enter into the program. Bids are rated using a system including five environmental factors: wildlife enhancement, water quality, soil erosion, enduring benefits and air quality. Bee habitat was emphasized in this signup as well. USDA accepts bids providing the greatest amount of environmental benefits per tax dollar spent.

More than 90 percent of the state’s 850 offers were accepted. The two most popular conservation practices were planting either native grass species, or introducing new grass species to the acreage. There are now more than 1.5 million acres in the program statewide. More than $75 million was issued to CRP contract holders in the state in 2010. Nationally, 2.8 million acres were accepted, putting the total at 29.9 million acres.

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the program. According to Olson, CRP has successfully reduced soil erosion, restored wildlife habitat and improved air and water quality through sustainable management practices.

“As we move towards new Farm Bill legislation is 2012, the program’s success and popularity should make it a focal-point in Congressional discussions,” Olson said.
#
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

STAY CONNECTED:

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:

Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help

QUESTIONS? Visit AskFSA for assistance

This email was sent to ahmedalaa214.ahmed@blogger.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: USDA Farm Service Agency · 1400 Independence Ave., S.W. · Washington, DC 20250 · 800-439-1420