What Do Illinois Farmers Need to Know About CREP?
Reinstated in 2022, CREP is a voluntary Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program that falls under CRP. Learn all about CREP in Illinois and what you as a farmer or landowner need to know.
CRP
The Goals of the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
In 2022, Illinois reinstated the statewide Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) as a division of the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Along with the general conservation and restoration goals of CRP, CREP focuses on specific goals for each state. Upon its return, the Illinois CREP released a number of guidelines and requirements for landowners interested …
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CRP Signup Starts Feb. 27th – April 7th 2023
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced recently that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting February 27 through April 7, 2023. What is the CRP? The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps agricultural producers …
The Agricultural Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues into 2023, the effects on the agricultural industry are daunting. Along with the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the global economy and food supply have taken a major hit. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most significant agricultural consequences, as well as ways …
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The Benefits of Biochar
When added to soil, biochar can bring numerous benefits to your land. An organically produced amendment, biochar has been used for thousands of years to enhance soil and generate better crop yields. Its unique, porous texture provides abundant opportunities for enriching vulnerable soil and keeping it healthy over the long term. Today, as farmers look …
How Do Conservation Buffers Benefit Your Land?
When you enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), there is a long list of conservation practices, or CPs, that you can put into action to improve the condition of your land. One of the most common CPs is known as a conservation buffer. Conservation buffers, also called buffer strips, can not only enhance your …
What’s the Difference Between CRP and CREP?
Considering signing up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)? You may notice there are other initiatives, like CREP or CCRP, that are also open for enrollment. These offshoots of the main CRP program typically focus on more specialized conservation goals. CREP, or the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, is an offshoot of CRP that takes a …
What’s New in CREP for Illinois Landowners in 2022
In 2022, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) returned to the state of Illinois. As part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), CREP identifies the highest-priority conservation goals in the state. From there, participants are provided with federal and non-federal funds to carry out Conservation Practices (CPs) to fulfill those goals. Since 2015, enrollment in …
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What is the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative?
With the goal of restoring wildlife habitat, the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative is an integral facet of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). While CRP focuses on conservation efforts as a whole, SAFE aims specifically to protect vulnerable wildlife species from endangerment and extinction. To do so, it focuses on establishing robust, native …
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What is an Environmental Benefit Index (EBI) Score?
When entering a bid for General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), eligible land is evaluated based on the Environmental Benefit Index (EBI). This comprehensive ranking system is used to measure the overall environmental benefits of your proposed CRP project. Each CRP submission is ranked with an EBI score by the FSA and compared to other applicants …
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