Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) supports agricultural producers in establishing long-term cover, restoring wetlands, and improving grasslands to conserve soil, water, and wildlife habitat.
Funder: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Due Dates: Ongoing (Continuous Signup) | Not announced (General and Grasslands signups)
Funding Amounts: Annual rental payments under 10- to 15-year contracts; up to 50% cost-share for cover establishment
Summary: CRP helps producers conserve soil, water, wetlands, and wildlife habitat through long-term vegetative cover and grassland improvements.
Key Information: Eligible cropland must have been cropped in four of the six years from 2012 through 2017.
Description
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and featured among the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s habitat programs. It helps producers convert highly erodible or environmentally sensitive agricultural land to long-term vegetative cover, restore wetlands, and improve certain grasslands. Participants maintain approved cover in exchange for annual rental payments and assistance with establishing conservation practices.
CRP has General, Continuous, and Grasslands signups. Practices include native grasses, hardwood trees, wildlife habitat corridors, riparian buffers, wetland restoration, pollinator habitat, prairie strips, and bobwhite habitat restoration. Grasslands Signup supports sustainable grazing and biodiversity on grassland or land containing shrubs and forbs that is threatened by conversion.
