On Wednesday, the National Association of Conservation Districts threw its support behind changes to the CRP program. The changes announced by Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack program include adjusting rental rates and introducing a variety of incentive payments, including a climate incentive payment. Vilsack said the revamp is intended to incentivize participation.

Vilsack also announced that Safe Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) enrollment will move back to continuous enrollment, giving landowners the chance to enroll these acres anytime throughout the year and increasing the incentives offered to acres enrolled in SAFE.

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“NACD applauds the announcement today that USDA is adjusting rental rates and incentive payments for CRP,” NACD President Michael Crowder said. “Inadequate compensation for landowners has led to low enrollment in the program in the past year. These increased rental rates and incentives are critical to ensuring farmers are appropriately compensated for participating in CRP. With these incentives in place, we hope to see full enrollment in the program.”

In November, NACD wrote a letter to the incoming Biden Administration emphasizing the need for these changes. Crowder says NACD supported increasing the enrollment cap on CRP in the 2018 Farm Bill and supported incentives for idling our nation’s most environmental sensitive lands.

“CRP is an important tool in the conservation toolbox, supporting landowners who wish to voluntarily remove land with the highest conservation value from production,” Crowder added. “Today’s announcement will strengthen CRP and yield real benefits for water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat.”

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