According to Blong Xiong, FSA State Executive Director in California, Grassland CRP aligns with USDA's priorities of agricultural sustainability and grassland preservation. The program has seen significant interest from producers, with over 6.8 million acres enrolled in the past three years, demonstrating the compatibility of agricultural productivity and conservation goals.
The success of the Grassland CRP is evident from the acceptance of more than 2.3 million acres through the 2023 signup, contributing to a total participation of 8.64 million acres. These figures underscore the value of voluntary conservation programs in maintaining working lands and promoting sustainable practices.
The recent extension of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 ensures the continuation of programs like CRP, allowing landowners and producers to continue their participation in conservation initiatives.
Interested individuals can contact their local USDA Service Center for more information or to apply for the Grassland CRP before the June 28 deadline.
Additionally, FSA offers other CRP options, including Continuous CRP signup for year-round enrollment and financial assistance programs like the Forest Management Incentive (FMI) and the Transition Incentives Program (TIP) for producers with expiring CRP acres.