The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is encouraging landowners to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program during the general enrollment running now through Friday, Aug. 27.
The Conservation Reserve Program helps ensure income on the tough-to-farm and lowest producing acres. The grass, trees and shrubs that are planted under a CRP contract provide long-term protection to soil and water, and add wildlife habitat to the landscape. In return, landowners receive annual rental payments, which help offset the cost of not raising a crop on those acres.
The new CRP general sign-up arrives in time to address the 4.4 million acres of CRP expiring on Sept. 30. It is also representative of the USDA's ongoing action to maximize the wildlife habitat and environmental benefits created during the program's 25-year history.
Acceptance into CRP is a competitive process, and the Environmental Benefits Index provides the scoring mechanism that determines if a farm field will achieve a high enough score to be accepted into the program. The choices that a producer makes when applying can increase his chances of being accepted into the program. For more information on what wildlife factors can increase scores, contact the Private Lands biologist who covers your county at the nearest Division of Wildlife district office. For a complete listing, see www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife.
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