Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) by Indiana DNR supports the restoration of sensitive farmland through science-based conservation practices to improve soil, water, and wildlife habitat.
Funder: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: October 1, 2026 (CRP application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Annual rental payments plus cost-share assistance for 10–15 year contracts; per-acre rates and total awards vary by practice and year.
Summary: Provides Indiana landowners with payments and cost-share support to establish forests or conservation covers on eligible farmland through long-term contracts.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity; application dates and program details may shift.
Description
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), administered in Indiana by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), incentivizes landowners to establish forests or conservation vegetation on eligible farmland. The program aims to improve soil and water quality, reduce erosion, and enhance wildlife habitats by supporting the restoration and protection of environmentally sensitive agricultural land. Participants enter into long-term (typically 10–15 year) contracts and receive annual rental payments as well as cost-share assistance for implementing approved conservation practices such as tree planting or establishing native grasses.
