Grassland Reserve Program

The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grassland including rangeland, pastureland, shrubland and certain other lands on their property.  Section 2401 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171) amended the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize this program.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Forest Service coordinate implementation of GRP.  This voluntary program helps protect valuable grasslands from conversion to cropland or other uses and helps ensure that grasslands are available to future generations.

There are two enrollment options: Rental Agreements and Easements.

The Rental Agreement option allows owners, and operators with control of the property for the contract length, to enter the GRP program for 10, 15, 20, or 30 years.  The Rental Agreement option pays a flat rate per acre for the grassland value for each year of the agreement.  Cost sharing is also available to improve the grassland cover or to install needed grazing improvements.

The Easement option allows owners to enter the GRP program under 30-year or permanent easements.  The value of easements is established by an appraisal of the offered area and is affected by the length of the easement period.  The GRP program covers the cost of the appraisal, land surveys, and closing and recording fees.  Cost sharing is also available to improve the grassland cover or to install needed grazing improvements.

 Sign-up Period:

Currently, the Grassland Reserve Program is not funded for 2008.

Additional Information:

The following documents require Acrobat Reader

• Fact Sheet  (PDF; 62 KB)                                         
• Key Points (PDF; 55 KB)
   
• Questions & Answers
  (PDF; 65 KB)
   

GRP Policy (PDF)

Forms:

• AD-1153 Application (PDF; 108 KB)
• AD-1157 Option Agreement to Purchase (Easements only) (PDF; 95 KB)
• AD-1158 Subordination Agreement and Limited Lien Waiver (Easements only) (PDF; 95 KB)
• AD-1159 Notification of Intent to Continue (Easements only) (PDF; 87 KB)
• AD-1161 Application for Payment (PDF; 230 KB)

• CCC-920 Grassland Reserve Program Contract (Rental Agreements only) (PDF; 106 KB)

• CCC-920 Grassland Reserve Program Contract, Appendix (PDF; 145 KB)
• Preliminary Certificate of Inspection and Possession (PDF; 17 KB)
• Hazardous Substance Examination Checklist (PDF; 16 KB)

Program Contact:

Jim Dunaway, Soil Conservationist      
NRCS, Indianapolis, IN   Phone 317-290-3200, ext. 334
jim.dunaway@in.usda.gov

                        or

Teresah Caire, Assistant State Conservationist, Programs
NRCS, Indianapolis, IN   Phone 317-290-3200, ext. 320
teresah.caire@in.usda.gov