CRP sign-up benefits Iowa

U.S. Department of Agriculture will accept 2.8 million acres offered by landowners under the Conservation Reserve Program general sign-up completed in April.

The selections preserve and enhance environmentally sensitive lands, while providing payments to property owners.

?We are pleased to find out that during this 41st general sign-up, Iowa had 1997 offers, which totaled 51,698 acres. Eighty-eight percent of the acres offered were accepted for a total sign-up enrollment of 45,421 acres,? said John R. Whitaker, the state executive director for USDA?s Iowa Farm Service Agency.

CRP is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Plant cover established on the acreage accepted into the CRP will reduce nutrient and sediment runoff in the nation?s rivers and streams. This reduces soil erosion that may otherwise contribute to poor air and water quality, and provide valuable habitat for wildlife. The CRP has restored more than 2 million acres of wetlands and associated buffers and reduced soil erosion by more than 400 million tons per year.

?This is a program that really benefits Iowans. It protects our land, water and air while also providing important wildlife benefits. The amount of offers from private landowners shows their commitment to conservation and the environment,? added Whitaker.

USDA selected offers for enrollment based on an Environmental Benefits Index comprised of five environmental factors plus cost. The five environmental factors are: wildlife enhancement, water quality, soil erosion, enduring benefits and air quality.

USDA implemented a number of measures including using additional EBI point incentives for producers to submit cost effective offers and producer outreach activities to encourage competitive offers on the most environmentally sensitive lands. The measures will maintain the high environmental benefits while decreasing the historic cost of the program.

For additional information about the CRP and other programs administered by FSA, contact the local FSA office.