Wildlife Conservation

wildflowers in the midwest SAFE

The Benefits of the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative

As part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative is designed to enhance important wildlife habitat to achieve local conservation goals. SAFE is a component of CRP that specifically focuses on working with private landowners to convert their land into valuable wildlife habitat. For the environment, the land, …

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Vermillion Rivers Matthiessen State Park Ottawa Illinois CREP

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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Bobwhite Quail - SAFE Initiative CRP

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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farm at sunset - rules for maintaining your crp land - conservation reserve project

Rules for Maintaining Your CRP Acres

Establishing your Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) project on your eligible farmland is the first step in taking advantage of the extensive benefits associated with the program. There are a number of eligibility requirements you and your land must meet in order to participate in CRP, but once the initial phase of planting and growing has …

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prairie buffer strip in wheat field prairie strip benefits crp cp-43

Why Choose Prairie Strips Over Traditional Strip Designs?

When beginning your contract with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), you may have questions regarding which types of farming practices are best suited for maximizing the benefits of the program. Through the Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative established by the CRP, CP-43 Prairie Strips is a new project designed to assist you with …

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CRP Water Conservation Testing

What is CRP doing for your water?

One of the most important benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the improvement of water quality in farmlands participating in the program. While traditional agricultural practices can damage our country’s water supply by the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, CRP has been shown to improve water quality through numerous research and …

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Row Crop Chemical Carryover – what you need to know when planting CRP

Chemical carryover caused by some new herbicides has become an increasingly frequent and potentially expensive problem for new CRP participants. If you used herbicide on the previous years’ crops, it may affect when you can plant your new CRP project. Some crop herbicides available on the market today have longer and longer carryover rates—sometimes 18 …

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How does the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Work?

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 …

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5 Conservation Benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

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, …

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