WASHINGTON – The USDA has announced that Conservation Reserve Program contracts expiring this year may be extended for another year.
Extension deadline. Participants with contracts expiring Sept. 30, 2002 have until May 31 to apply for the one-year extension. Some 30,000 contracts are affected.
Local offices of USDA’s Farm Service Agency are currently notifying eligible Conservation Reserve Program participants of their option to modify and extend their Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
Eligibility. The extension option applies to Conservation Reserve Program participants with contracts scheduled to expire on Sept. 30. The original contract with extension must not exceed 15 years.
The extension will not change participants’ rental rates. All or a portion of the acreage under contract may be included in an extension, but no new acreage may be added.
Obligations and responsibilities under the original contract continue to apply to contracts that are modified and extended.
USDA is not planning to offer a general Conservation Reserve Program signup in fiscal year 2002. However, producers may continue to enroll relatively small, highly-desirable acreage, such as filter strips and riparian buffers, in the continuous Conservation Reserve Program at any time at their local FSA office.
About the program. Producers enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program receive rental payments and other financial incentives to remove lands from agricultural production for a period of 10 to 15 years.
Conservation Reserve Program participants plant native grasses, trees, and other vegetation to improve water quality, soil, and wildlife habitat. About 34 million acres are currently enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program.
Learn more. For more information contact your local FSA office or visit the FSA Web site at www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crp.htm.
