The Farm Service Agency (or FSA) is a branch of the USDA that primarily oversees a number of conversation programs. In their own words, the purpose of these programs is to address issues including: Drinking water protection Reducing soil erosion Wildlife habitat preservation Preservation and restoration of forests and wetlands Aiding farmers whose farms are damaged by natural disasters Of […]
Healthy soil is a critical component for life on this planet. Not only does it grow our plants and crops, but it absorbs rainfall, decomposes organisms and waste, and stores over 4 trillion tons of carbon. Forests, by comparison, only store around 360 billion tons (learn more about the importance of carbon sequestration here.) Though soil is often viewed as an
Improving Soil Health with Native Grasses and Forbs Read More »
Our atmosphere’s carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are higher than they’ve been in 100,000 years. While CO2 is a natural part of the air we breathe, too much of it can be a very bad thing. As you may know, CO2 is a greenhouse gas, which means it absorbs heat (unlike oxygen or nitrogen). At proper amounts, CO2 serves a very important function of keeping
Using Native Grasses and Forbs for Carbon Sequestration Read More »
Since being introduced to America in 1622, the honeybee has become our most prominent pollinator. In fact, the honeybee is responsible for $15 billion in US crops per year. But times are changing. Honeybees have seen their numbers sharply decline over the past few decades due to Colony Collapse Disorder. With no clear answers on what causes CCD or how it can be
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CRP practices often contain a diverse selection of plant species native to the area where you live. But that doesn’t mean you can let just anything grow there. As with traditional farming, weed control is an important part of establishing CRP. Weeds can hinder seed development, not to mention prove harmful for wildlife. If they’re not dealt with immediately and effectively,
Controlling Thistle and Other Noxious Weed in CRP Read More »
The process of converting old CRP to a new CRP practice can vary depending on the type of practice you’re enrolled in, as well as the condition of the land where it’s being established. The preparation of your land is very important for ensuring a successful conversion especially if the land has previously been in CRP. Even if you’re reenrolling in
Converting Land from One CRP Practice to Another Read More »
When it comes to establishing CRP, the first two years are critical. Transitioning from farmland to native plants and natural habitat is a delicate process. First, the land must be cleared and prepared. Once it’s ready for planting, special equipment is utilized to plant the CRP seed mixes. From there, the primary goal is to prevent weeds
Importance of Establishment Mowing for CRP Seedings Read More »
Last week, we discussed the differences between general CRP and Continuous CRP (CCRP). CCRP is a specialized program that targets land deemed to be environmentally sensitive. Unlike general CRP, which relies on a bidding and rating process for enrollment, qualifying CCRP applicants are automatically accepted into the program (assuming there are acres available for enrollment in your state).
Choosing Between CREP and Continuous CRP Read More »
(Click here to view our NEW General and Continuous CRP Options Fact Sheet) The Conservation Reserve Programs (CRP) offers many great ways for farmers and landowners to take highly erodible or underperforming land out of active production so it can be used for different conservation methods. For those considering enrollment in CRP, one of the
General CRP vs. Continuous CRP – What’s the Difference? Read More »
The ag industry faced some uncertainty as 2018 came to a close. Most funding from the 2014 farm bill expired on September 30, 2018, yet congress struggled to find a consensus for its replacement. Without a new farm bill in place to provide funding, programs such as CRP remained in limbo, unable to sign-on new
Signup for Continuous CRP and CREP Reopens Read More »
