Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources' CREP program funds science-based conservation practices to restore habitats, reduce erosion, and improve water quality on sensitive Indiana lands.
Funder: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Cost-share assistance for approved conservation practices; annual crop rental payments; contract terms typically 14–15 years.
Summary: Supports Indiana landowners and producers in retiring environmentally sensitive land and implementing conservation practices through financial incentives.
Key Information: Program is available statewide; eligibility and payment rates may vary by land type and practice.
Description
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary conservation initiative administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in partnership with state and federal agencies, including the USDA Farm Service Agency and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The program is designed to help Indiana agricultural producers and landowners protect environmentally sensitive land, reduce soil erosion, restore wildlife habitats, and improve ground and surface water quality.
Participants receive financial incentives to retire eligible land from agricultural production and establish approved conservation covers—such as riparian buffers, wetlands, or forested areas—that provide long-term environmental benefits. CREP is available in every county and watershed in Indiana, with a targeted enrollment of up to 100,000 acres.
