The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is issuing approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments to agricultural producers and landowners for their participation in key conservation programs for 2026.
This year, USDA’s Farm Service Agency accepted offers on nearly 1 million new acres of Grassland CRP, providing ranchers with rental payments and cost share assistance to maintain rangeland and pastureland as grazing areas. After 2026 enrollment, Grassland CRP acreage is anticipated to account for more than 40% of all CRP enrolled acres.
“These conservation payments play a key role in helping landowners preserve and protect natural resources, while also promoting working lands conservation,” said Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce. “Enrollment in our conservation programs has been a highly competitive process. These payments support landowners with an interest in voluntary land stewardship, helping them drive conservation efforts on their land to keep their operations moving forward while protecting our nation’s natural resources and supporting rural communities across the country.”
The $1.8 billion in annual rental payments are being made to agricultural producers and private landowners through the CRP and Grassland CRP. These annual rental payments are made to eligible farmers and ranchers who establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative covers.
For fiscal year 2027, a total of 26.8 million acres will be enrolled in CRP after FSA accepts offers on 2.2 million acres through Grassland, General and Continuous CRP signups for 2026.
The following states rank in the top five for CRP payments for 2026: Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Missouri.
Source: USDA
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