Conservation Reserve Program open enrollment

Recently, USDA Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the opportunity for farm and ranch landowners and operators to consider enrolling lands into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Offers may be made under General Signup 56 during the period of Jan. 4, through Feb. 11, 2021. In addition, Environmental Priority (EP) requests targeting unique conservation initiatives and practices may be offered throughout the year.

Since its inception in 1985, CRP has been tremendously successful as an environmentally targeted land protection, water quality improvement and wildlife enhancement program. A maximum of 37 million acres have been authorized for CRP enrollment under the current USDA Farm Bill.

General CRP practices commonly considered in Boundary and Bonner counties include grass seedings to introduced or native species, which may also include forbs or legumes beneficial to wildlife habitat; development of pollinator habitat; and evergreen tree plantings with a grass understory component.

Environmental Priority CRP practices typically targeting smaller, more sensitive areas include establishment of grass waterways to safely transport field runoff; establishment of contour grass strips on highly erodible cropland slopes; and establishment of grass buffers along intermittent or permanent watercourses.

Landowners and operators interested in reviewing the details of the CRP program are encouraged to contact the Boundary-Bonner County Farm Service Agency Office at 208-267-2707 to schedule an appointment to review the program. Due to current COVID-19 protocols, appointments will be conducted by phone with staff.