Conservation Acreage May Surprise You

You may be surprised by how many acres are part of USDA's conservation programs.  Natural Resources Conservation Service Deputy Chief Jimmy Bramlett acknowledges many think the conservation reserve program, CRP, with 24 million acres is the largest program, but that is not the case.

"The largest is surprising to many, the Conservation Stewardship program, 72 million acres in the Conservation Stewardship program."

NRCS oversees CSP as well as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program which includes an additional 20 million acres conducting some form of voluntary conservation practice.

"Right now, through all of our various USDA programs have active conservation activities on 121 million acres out there," says Bramlett.

He addded that number also includes about 5 million acres in perpetual and long-term conservation easements.