CRP sign-up continues through April 15

Producers in Iberville/West Baton Rouge Parish are reminded that a general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program begins March 14, 2011 and continues through April 15, 2011.    Joel J Ducote, County Executive Director stated that during the sign-up period, farmers may offer eligible land for CRP’s competitive general sign-up at the Iberville/ West Baton Rouge Parish FSA Office.  The land must have been planted four of the six years -- 2002 through 2007.  The 2008 Farm Bill authorized USDA to maintain CRP enrollment up to 32 million acres.

America’s farmers and ranchers play an important role in improving our environment and for nearly 25 years, CRP has helped this nation build sound conservation practices that preserve the soil, clean our water and restore habitat for wildlife. 

CRP is a voluntary program that assists farmers and other agricultural producers to use their environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits.  Producers enrolling in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers in exchange for rental payments, cost-share and technical assistance.  Participants voluntarily remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production by entering into long-term contracts for 10 to 15 years.  In exchange, participants receive annual rental payments and a payment of up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing conservation practices.

Land may be enrolled in CRP provided all eligibility requirements are met.  Additionally, current CRP participants with contracts expiring this fall covering about 4.4 million acres may make new contract offers.  Contracts awarded under this sign-up are scheduled to become effective October 1, 2011.  All interested farmers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office for more information