NCGA Reminds Growers of June 30 CRP Re-enrollment Deadline (6-27-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reminds members with Conservation Reserve Program contracts expiring between 2008 and 2010 they have until June 30 to apply for re-enrollment or extension.

"The Conservation Reserve Program is a good program for growers," said Bill Chase, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. "It encourages all producers to improve the land, water sources, air and wildlife areas. This is another example of corn growers being good stewards of the land.”

USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) notified almost 160,000 CRP participants with contracts expiring between 2008 and 2010 of their opportunity to re-enroll and extend. FSA will report the intentions of those contract holders later this summer.

FSA will use the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) at the time of enrollment to determine eligibility for CRP re-enrollments or extensions, giving additional credit for contracts within national CRP conservation priority areas.

Before approving re-enrolled or extended contracts, FSA will review the contracts to ensure the required cover is maintained and there is compliance with other contract provisions. In addition, participants must be able to show they meet eligibility requirements for the new enrollment period. In the case of re-enrollments, updated rental rates will apply.

CRP participants may voluntarily enroll highly erodible and other fragile cropland in CRP through long-term contracts of 10 to 15 years. On the enrolled land, participants plant grasses, trees and other vegetation. In exchange, participants receive annual rental payments and a payment of up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing conservation practices.

For more information on CRP, contact your local FSA office or visit the FSA Web site