The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners. Through CRP, you can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland.
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) makes annual rental payments based on the agriculture rental value of the land, and it provides cost-share assistance for up to 50 percent of the participant’s costs in establishing approved conservation practices. Participants enroll in CRP contracts for 10 to 15 years.
CRP protects millions of acres of American topsoil from erosion and is designed to safeguard the Nation’s natural resources. By reducing water runoff and sedimentation, CRP protects groundwater and helps improve the condition of lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. Acreage enrolled in the CRP is planted to resource-conserving vegetative covers, making the program a major contributor to increased wildlife populations in many parts of the country.
More information: Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
___________________________________________________________
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has identified the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program as a powerful tool to meet goals to provide additional undisturbed habitat for wildlife and public hunting access.
Administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, CREP is simply a “state-sponsored ” Conservation Reserve Program designed for a specific geographic area that will address resource concerns identified by state partners.
In South Dakota, the focus will be on improving water quality, reducing soil erosion, and providing flood control all while creating additional pheasant nesting habitat in the James River Watershed. CREP participants will receive 40% higher rental rates than if they were to just enroll their land in CRP. Every acre enrolled in CREP will be open to public hunting and fishing.
More information: SD Game Fish & Parks