Centerville, KS

FROM the USDA:

FSA Announces a CRP General Signup Period

Manhattan, Kansas, February 4, 2011 - Adrian J. Polansky, State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas, announced a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup March 14, 2011 through April 15, 2011. This is the second consecutive year that USDA has offered a general CRP signup.

"Financial incentive available through CRP affords farmers and ranchers a low risk opportunity to implement a variety of conservation practices that will benefit the environment in a number of ways," said Polansky. "Over the past 25 years, CRP practices have improved water and air quality, increased wildlife habitat and prevented soil erosion."

Landowners enrolled in the CRP program receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP can be offered during sign-up if all eligibility requirements are met. CRP participants with contracts expiring this fall can make new contract offers during the signup period. Contracts awarded during this general signup will become effective October 1, 2011.

CRP is authorized a maximum enrollment of 32 million acres. Nationwide there is currently 30,859,317 acres enrolled on 730,547 contracts with an estimated 5,040,883 acres to expire this fall. Kansas currently has 2,726,425 acres enrolled on 46,641 contracts with an estimated 532,067 acres expiring September 30, 2011.

All CRP offers are evaluated and ranked using an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) that indicates the environmental benefits of enrolling land in CRP. There are five environmental factors that make up the EBI: wildlife, water, soil, air, enduring benefits and cost. Decisions will be made following the end of the sign-up period and after analyzing EBI data on all of the offers.

In addition to the general sign-up, the continuous CRP sign-up program will be ongoing.

For more information, please contact the FSA Office at the local USDA Service Center or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.