Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

The Conservation Reserve Program a voluntary program for agricultural landowners.  Through CRP, you can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) makes annual rental payments based on the agriculture rental value of the land, and it provides cost-share assistance for up to 50 percent of the participant’s costs in establishing approved conservation practices.  Participants enroll in CRP contracts for 10 to 15 years.  

The program is administered through the Farm Service Agency (FSA).   Natural Resources Conservation Service works with landowners to develop their application, and to plan, design and install the conservation practices on the land.   County Land Conservation Departments and the Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources also provide technical support for the Conservation Reserve Program. 

The Conservation Reserve Program reduces soil erosion, protects the Nation's ability to produce food and fiber, reduces sedimentation in streams and lakes, improves water quality, establishes wildlife habitat, and enhances forest and wetland resources. It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filterstrips, or riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices. For additional information, see our Farm Bill page.