Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Indiana DNR’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program supports science-based land retirement and conservation practices to improve water quality, reduce erosion, and restore wildlife habitat statewide.
Funder: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Cost-share and annual rental payments for 14–15 year contracts; rates vary by practice and land type.
Summary: Incentivizes Indiana landowners to retire sensitive land and implement conservation practices that improve water quality, reduce erosion, and restore habitat.
Key Information: Available statewide; voluntary enrollment; multi-year contracts.
Description
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary land retirement and conservation initiative administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in partnership with the USDA Farm Service Agency and Indiana State Department of Agriculture. CREP encourages Indiana agricultural producers and landowners to retire environmentally sensitive land from production in exchange for financial incentives. The program aims to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and protect both ground and surface water resources. Supported conservation practices include establishing buffer strips, wetland restoration, and reforestation, with a focus on long-term environmental stewardship and enhancement of Indiana’s natural landscapes.
