By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new enrollment opportunities under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for agricultural producers and landowners.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications for both the General and Continuous CRP beginning today and continuing through June 6, 2025.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of CRP, USDA’s leading conservation initiative. Since its inception, CRP has supported producers and landowners with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily take marginal or unproductive cropland out of production.
These lands are converted into vegetative cover that helps improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitats. The American Relief Act of 2025 has extended CRP provisions through September 30, 2025.
“With 1.8 million acres available for all CRP enrollment this fiscal year, we are very aware that we are bumping up against the 27-million-acre statutory cap,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam.
“Now more than ever, it’s important that the acres offered by landowners and those approved by USDA address our most critical natural resource concerns. With the limited number of acres that we have available, we’re not necessarily looking for the most acres offered but instead prioritizing mindful conservation efforts to ensure we maximize the return on our investment from both a conservation and economic perspective.”
General CRP (Signup 64):
This enrollment is competitive. Landowners submit offers that are ranked using national environmental benefit criteria. Selected participants may receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance for establishing long-term vegetation.
Continuous CRP (Signup 63):
Unlike General CRP, these offers are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until June 6. If acres are still available after that date, additional offers may be accepted through July 31, 2025. This option targets smaller, environmentally sensitive areas like wetlands and riparian zones. Participants receive annual payments and cost-sharing benefits.
Enrollment options under Continuous CRP include CLEAR, CLEAR30, the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, Highly Erodible Land Initiative, and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
The FSA will soon release signup dates for Grassland CRP. Additionally, landowners with CRP contracts expiring on September 30, 2025, may now re-enroll those acres or offer new land for participation.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: National