U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Minnesota State Executive Director Linda Hennen announced that during this month, USDA will distribute approximately $100 million in annual Conservation Reserve Program rental payments to Minnesota's farmers and ranchers.
"October is an important production month because CRP rental payments are paid during this first month of the federal fiscal year," according to Hennen. "These funds support the agricultural economy and responsible stewardship of America's production acreage."
Currently, total CRP enrollment in the nation stands at 31.3 million acres nationwide, making CRP the largest public-private partnership for conservation and wildlife habitat in the United States. This voluntary program helps agricultural producers safeguard environmentally sensitive land and provide millions of acres of habitat for game and non-game wildlife species.
USDA also issues non-rental CRP payments throughout the year. These payments for certain contracts include a 50 percent expense reimbursement for establishing and managing cover as well as incentive payments for enrolling eligible high priority conservation practices.
For more information on CRP, producers should contact their local FSA office or visit FSA's website at www.fsa.usda.gov .
