CRP Enrollment is Underway - So What are the Options? The Agricultural Act fo 2014 or commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill continues the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for which enrollment is now underway. Cropland must have a cropping history for 4 of the 6 years between 2008-2013 to be considered eligible for CRP enrollment in either a 10 or 15 year contract. Participants are paid a percent of the cost to establish the practice, possibly incentive payments depending on the practice and an annual rate per acre based on the practice and soil type. Interested producers should consult the Crawford County FSA or NRCS to determine the practice that best fits your operation and before any work is underway. Listed below are some of the most popular CRP practices and options in Crawford County along with a brief description of the practices. CP1 - Establish new or maintain existing vegetative cover of introduced grasses and legumes on eligible cropland that will enhance environmental benefits. CP2 - Estabish new or maintain existing vegetative cover of native grasses on eligible cropland that will enhance environmental benefits. CP3A - Establish and maintain a new stand or an stand of predominantly hardwood trees in a timber planting that will enhance environmental benefits. CP4D - Establish new or maintain existing permanent wildlife habitat cover to enhance environmental benefits for the wildlife habitat of the designated or surrounding areas. CP5A - Establish windbreaks to improve the environmental benefits on a farm to reduce cropland erosion below soil loss tolerance and enhance the wildlife habitat on the designated area. CP8A - Improve water quality and convey runoff from water concentrations without causing erosion or runoff. CP9 - Develop or restore shallow water areas to an average depth of 6 to 18 inches for wildlife. CP12 - Establish suitable plant species for wildlife food plots. This practice may only be used in conjunction with practices CP1, CP2, CP3A, CP4A and CP25. CP16A - Establish shelterbelts to protect farmsteads or livestock areas, save energy and enhance wildlife habitat. CP21 - Remove nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, and other pollutants from surface runoff and subsurface flow by deposition, absorption, plant uptake, denitrification, an other processes and thereby reduce pollution and protect surface water and subsurface water quality while enhancing the ecosystem of the water body. CP22 - Remove nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, and other pollutants from surface runoff and subsurface flow by deposition, absorption, plant uptake, denitrification, an other processes and thereby reduce pollution and protect surface water and subsurface water quality while enhancing the ecosystem of the water body. A CP22 also creates shade to lower water temperature to improve habitat for aquatic organisms and provide large woody debris for aquatic organisms. CP33 - Provide food and cover for quail and upland birds in cropland areas. Secondary benefits may include reducing soil erosion from wind and water, increasing soil and water quality, protecting and enhancing the on-farm ecosystem. CP42 - Establish habitat to support a diversity of pollinator species. Interested producers are encouraged to contact the Crawford County FSA or Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to determine the practice that may be best for your operation. More information may be found online by visiting CRP website . CRP Re-enrollment Letters Mailed Recently, the USDA mailed letters to participants that have CRP contracts expiring on September 30, 2014. The Crawford County FSA office is currently completing notification to these participants of their options for enrollment including new re-enrollment rental rates per acre. Once you have received this information and determined your interest to re-enroll all or part of the expiring acreage please contact the Crawford County FSA. USDA Announces Programs to Conserve Sensitive Land and Help Beginning Farmers Farmers and landowners committed to protecting and conserving environmentally sensitive land may sign up for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) beginning June 9. The Secretary also announced that retiring farmers enrolled in CRP could receive incentives to transfer a portion of their land to beginning, disadvantaged or veteran farmers through the Transition Incentives Program (TIP). CCRP provides incentives to producers who utilize conservation methods on environmentally-sensitive lands. For example, farmers are monetarily compensated for establishing long-term vegetative species, such as approved grasses or trees (known as "covers") to control soil erosion, improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat. Under continuous sign-up authority, eligible land can be enrolled in CRP at any time with contracts of up to 10 to 15 years in duration. In lieu of a general sign-up this year, USDA will allow producers with general CRP contracts expiring this September to have the option of a one-year contract extension. In addition, the new grassland provisions, which will allow producers to graze their enrolled land, will enable producers to do so with more flexibility. The Transition Incentives Program provides two additional years of payments for retired farmers and landowners who transition expiring CRP acres to socially disadvantaged, military veteran, or beginning producers who return the land to sustainable grazing or crop production. Sign up will also begin June 9. TIP funding was increased by more than 30 percent in the 2014 Farm Bill, providing up to $33 million through 2018. As part of the 2014 Farm Bill, participants meeting specific qualifications may have the opportunity to terminate their CRP contract during fiscal year 2015 if the contract has been in effect for a minimum of five years and if other conditions are also met. Contact the Crawford County FSA office or view the Continuous CRP factsheet and the Transition Incentives Program (TIP) factsheet for more information. Questions?
Please contact CED Trevor Kerr, County Executive Director, at 419-562-8936, Trevor.Kerr@oh.usda.gov of for Farm Loans, please contact FLO Pam Sparks, Farm Loan Officer, at 419-668-4113, Pam.Sparks@oh.usda.gov . | 
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