by USDA Farm Service Agency
Posted on 1/28/2011
(DAVIS, CA) - Val Dolcini, State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency in California today announced Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has set general signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to begin on March 14, 2011, and continue through April 15, 2011. During the signup period, farmers and ranchers may offer eligible land for CRP's competitive general signup at their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.
"Over the past 25 years, CRP's benefits have continued to grow - cleaner water, improved air quality, better habitat for wildlife and a huge reduction in soil erosion," said Dolcini. "Today's announcement reinforces this administration's dedication to help farmers and ranchers conserve natural resources on their land for everyone's benefit."
Land currently not enrolled in CRP may be offered in this signup provided all eligibility requirements are met. Additionally, current CRP participants with contracts expiring this fall may make new contract offers. Contracts awarded under this signup are scheduled to become effective Oct. 1, 2011.
To help ensure that interested farmers and ranchers are aware of the signup period, USDA has signed partnership agreements with several conservation and wildlife organizations that will all play an active role in USDA's 2011 CRP outreach efforts.
As administrator of the Conservation Reserve Program, FSA will evaluate and rank eligible CRP offers using an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) that assists in calculating the environmental benefits to be gained from the contract. The EBI consists of five environmental factors (wildlife, water, soil, air and enduring benefits). Cost factors are also entered into the equation.
In addition to the general sign-up, FSA's CRP Continuous Sign-up Program is ongoing. Continuous acres represent the most environmentally desirable and sensitive land. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov and view Conservation Programs.
