The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the open enrollment of its voluntary Conservation Reserve Program by continuing to accept offers past the original Feb. 12 deadline. Private landowners can sign up at their local USDA Farm Service Agency office.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department private land section leader Kevin Kading said the extension gives USDA time to evaluate the program and look for ways to increase enrollment.
“The extension will also allow USDA additional time to work with private landowners who have already submitted an offer who wish to adjust or resubmit their offer to take advantage of any changes USDA makes,” Kading said.
CRP provides options for environmentally sensitive land by reducing soil erosion and improving water quality, but it also provides significant benefits to wildlife populations through the habitat it creates. The habitat created by CRP makes it a great fit for the Game and Fish Department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program.
Game and Fish has partnered with the USDA FSA to help producers learn more about CRP and the options available.
Landowners are encouraged to visit https://gf.nd.gov/landowner/2021-crp-contact-request to answer a few questions that will direct them to their local FSA county office for more detailed information and to apply for CRP. Landowners can also request to be contacted by a Game and Fish private land biologist to learn more about additional incentives and cost-share for allowing walk-in hunting access to their CRP through PLOTS.
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