Landowners' Opinions Contribute to USDA Conservation Policy via USGS Survey

Because farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners manage two-thirds of the Nation's land, environmental and conservation goals have become key factors in formulating national agricultural policy. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the largest environmental program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with enrollment exceeding 34 million acres in all 50 states. Improvement in program performance is a goal of CRP administrators, and participants' input on how the program is working "on the ground" is an important factor in evaluating its success. In response to a request by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), scientists at the USGS Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) completed a national survey of over 2,000 landowners holding active CRP contracts in 2001.

CRP has provided habitat for economically and socially important game species such as the white-tailed deer. (M. Vandever/USGS)

The purpose of the survey was to describe participant opinions about personal effects of the CRP, wildlife issues, and USDA administration of the program. FSA wanted this information to better manage the CRP by addressing landowner needs. In addition, recent years have witnessed legislation yielding greater attention to social and environmental issues associated with agricultural systems. Too often, land use policy decisions are implemented using broad-brush approaches without considering the complexities of regional landscapes. To address this situation, the survey also was designed to capture regionally specific attitudes by summarizing the results by USDA Farm Production Region as well as nationally. In this way, decision makers will have a better understanding of regional issues to assess how national policies might affect them.

Survey results reveal the majority of respondents value environmental and social benefits derived from the CRP. Environmental benefits in the form of decreased soil erosion and improved air and water quality were realized by a majority of participants. Social benefits were noted as well-for example, helping to prevent urban sprawl, improving recreational opportunities, increasing opportunities to view wildlife, and generating the satisfaction of doing something beneficial for the environment. A majority of participants also believed that the CRP provided positive changes in wildlife populations.

Respondents were encouraged to include written comments about the program to more fully express their opinions. From a national perspective, comments such as "since establishment of the CRP, streams have surface water in them" or "the CRP grasses capture drifting snow, making winter feeding of cattle easier" may appear relatively unimportant or impractical to measure; but it is these kinds of comments that capture the indefinable substance of the program. An appreciation of such understated effects can improve FSA understanding of environmental and social implications of long-term conservation programs delivered within agricultural ecosystems.

CRP grasslands established on retired cropland in North Dakota. (A. Allen/USGS)

Overall, respondents appreciated the quality of information and assistance in program enrollment and administration furnished by the USDA. More personal attention by USDA staff, periodic on-site visits, and efficient methods to communicate successful management strategies between program participants were suggested ways to improve administration of the program.

By garnering information that helps identify regional and national issues of concern to CRP participants, this coordinated effort between the USGS-FORT and FSA provides a tool for FSA to make needed refinements that support effective administration of the CRP.

Also at FORT: Policy Analysis and Science Assistance Program A National Survey of Conservation Reserve Program Participants on Environmental Effects, Wildlife Issues, and Vegetation Management on Program Lands FORT-FSA Conference Addresses Future Science Needs of Conservation Reserve Program FORT Co-hosts Conservation Reserve Program Conference

---

For more information, contact:

Art Allen
Mark Vandever