NEWS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Office of Communications News Room 460-A
Washington, DC 20250-1300
Internet: News @usda.gov   Phone: 202-720-9035
World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov

                              Release No. 0007.01
                                                 
                                                 
              Mary Beth Schultheis (202) 720-4623
     

USDA, NORTH  DAKOTA FORM $43 MILLION CONSERVATION
PARTNERSHIP   

     WASHINGTON, January, 8, 2001   Agriculture Secretary
Dan Glickman today announced a new USDA partnership with the
State of North Dakota to protect 160,000 acres of fragile
farm land and improve water quality.  

     The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, already
established in 14 other states, will provide farmers with
financial incentives to engage in conservation practices.  

     "This important, new partnership will help protect
North Dakota's land, wildlife, and water quality, while
helping family farmers," said Glickman. 

     Participating farmers will be eligible for four types
of payments: a one-time payment for enrollment, a practice
incentive payment, an annual rental payment and cost-share
assistance to help pay for conservation practices.

     If the full 160,00 acres eligible are enrolled, USDA
will pay North Dakota farmers up to $20 million over a 15-
year period.  North Dakota has committed an additional $23
million to the project.

     USDA's Farm Service Agency is administering the
program in partnership with North Dakota's Department of
Fish and Game.  Farmers and landowners can obtain more
information about this program from their local USDA Service
Center or on the web at
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crpinfo.htm. 
                                             
                                   

                        #