Micheal Clements, NAFB News Service

Farmers can sign up now for the Conservation Reserve Program through February 12, 2021. The program, administered by The Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce says the signup period “gives producers and landowners an opportunity to enroll for the first time or continue their participation for another term.” The popular program allows farmers and ranchers to establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. General signup includes increased opportunities for wildlife habitat enrollment through the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement initiative.  New cropland offered in the program must have been planted for four out of six crop years from 2012 to 2017. Additionally, producers with land already enrolled but expiring on September 30, 2021, can re-enroll this year. The acreage offered by producers and landowners is evaluated competitively. Accepted offers will begin October 1, 2021.