Friday, March 29, 2024
HomePasture HealthForageConservation Reserve Program For Grasslands - Application Deadline 12/16/2016

Conservation Reserve Program For Grasslands – Application Deadline 12/16/2016

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was recently expanded to include Grasslands. It’s an effort to help landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland while while still using them for grazing. Participants receive annual payments  of not more than 75% of the value of the land and cost-share assistance for contracts lasting between 14 and 15 years. This year’s deadline to apply for inclusion in the program is December 16, 2106 so if you’re interested, you’ll want to head over to your local Farm Service Agency to get help with the paperwork.

Small Livestock Operations Welcome!

Small livestock operations with 100 or fewer grazing dairy cows or equivalent can submit applications to enroll up to 200 acres per operation. To figure out what that means for you, check out the table below showing Animal Unit Equivalents:

aum-for-crp

The CRP Grasslands program emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity and grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion. Participation in the program can also make you eligible for 50% cost-share assistance when you establish approved practices that address these issues. To be eligible land must be currently planted to grass cover and you must have owned or operated it for at least 12 months prior to the application deadline (though there are exceptions in cases of inheritance and foreclosure).

Cattle graze at Emerald Valley Farm, a 200 head dairy operation in Newville, owned and operated by Clifford and Maggie Hawbaker.
Cattle graze at Emerald Valley Farm, a 200 head dairy operation in Newville, owned and operated by Clifford and Maggie Hawbaker.

Clifford Hawbaker operates a 200 head dairy in Pennsylvania and has enrolled some of his land in this program. He says, “I think this practice (is) a good option and choice for farmers. It helps the environment and it’s really given me a different appreciation for grass.”

Your Farm Service Agent is happy to talk with you to see if this is a good option for your operation. Click here to locate your nearest office.

Your Tips Keep This Library Online

This resource only survives with your assistance.

Kathy Voth
Kathy Vothhttps://onpasture.com
I am the founder, editor and publisher of On Pasture, now retired. My career spanned 40 years of finding creative solutions to problems, and sharing ideas with people that encouraged them to work together and try new things. From figuring out how to teach livestock to eat weeds, to teaching range management to high schoolers, outdoor ed graduation camping trips with fifty 6th graders at a time, building firebreaks with a 130-goat herd, developing the signs and interpretation for the Storm King Fourteen Memorial trail, receiving the Conservation Service Award for my work building the 150-mile mountain bike trail from Grand Junction, Colorado to Moab, Utah...well, the list is long so I'll stop with, I've had a great time and I'm very grateful.

Welcome to the On Pasture Library

Free Ebook!

Latest Additions

Most Read