The United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency oversees several voluntary conservation-related programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program. In the past, farmers have joked the CRP, “pays farmers not to farm”. But the truth is the work the farmers do with CRP has far reaching benefits. Programs like CRP work to address a large […]
How does the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Work? Read More »
Congress created CRP in 1985 following increased concern over unacceptably high levels of soil erosion as well as other environmental concerns. The 1985 Farm Bill authorized USDA to enroll up to 45 million acres in CRP. By idling environmentally sensitive lands, the Conservation Reserve Program provides substantial conservation benefits by improving water quality, protecting soil,
5 Conservation Benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Read More »
Weed control is critical to successful CRP establishment. Left unchecked, weeds can quickly overtake your CRP planting and cause the establishment to fail altogether. Since CRP land is typically established using no-till planting, it can be especially vulnerable to weeds. Creating an herbicide plan is one of the first actions you will need to take
The Importance of Weed Control in CRP Read More »
Done correctly, the Conservation Reserve Program can be a great way to restore health to marginal land while still earning a profit. In order to reap the program’s benefits, however, you’ll need to successfully establish the native vegetation for your selected Conservation Practice (CP) This is where things can get difficult. Though establishing CRP bears
Mistakes to Avoid with CRP Read More »
For 35 years, CRP has helped farmers and landowners earn money on marginal land while protecting against erosion, water quality, loss of wildlife habitat, and more. With the new administration’s increased focus on conservation and the recently announced enhancements for the Conservation Reserve Program, now is the perfect time to join the program. The question is…
Establishing CRP: What You Need to Know Read More »
Our world’s pollinators are in trouble. Honeybees, which are currently responsible for 80% of our crop pollination, have seen their population decline by 60% over the past 70 years. Many other pollinators aren’t faring any better. Some species of bumblebees have lost 96% of their population. Monarch butterflies are on the verge of being declared an endangered species. If something doesn’t change,
Why CRP is Critical to Saving Our Pollinators Read More »
The world is facing a soil crisis, and the US is no exception. More than 50% of America’s topsoil has eroded away. If this continues, we could run out of usable solid in as little as 60 years. Since it takes 500 years to form just 1 inch of topsoil, we don’t have any choice but to protect
Restoring Health to Your Farm’s Soil Read More »
While modern farming provides the foods, materials, and resources that our civilization relies on, it can also negatively impact the surrounding environment in a number of ways. Practices such as excessive tillage, removing natural habitat, and planting the same crop season after season have drained soil of its nutrients and left it exposed. Excess irrigation increases
Implementing Sustainable Farming Practices Read More »
Over the past 20 years, the US has lost nearly 100,000 square miles of farmland. By 2030, we could lose another 77,000. While much of this loss is caused by urban expansion and development, some of the land is simply abandoned. Abandoned farmland is a growing problem in the US. Not only does it hurt crop production and farming profits, but it’s an environmental liability as well. Left
What Can Be Done About Farmland Abandonment? Read More »
As of January 4th, enrollment for general CRP in 2020 is officially open. If you’re looking to submit a bid, now is the time to act. Enrollment for general CRP closes on February 12. Enrollment for Continuous CRP will remain open as long as acres are available. For more information on joining CRP in 2021, click here. The first step
Selecting Seed Mix for CRP Read More »