South Dakota among top in Grassland preservation

By Scout Nelson

This year, South Dakota landowners have made a substantial commitment to environmental stewardship by enrolling almost 159,000 acres, or about 250 square miles, into the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This achievement places South Dakota fourth in the nation, following Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Grassland CRP is designed to enhance grassland management practices that support carbon sequestration, moisture retention, and resilience against wildfires. Participants must maintain the integrity of the grasslands by refraining from farming the land. However, practices like sustainable livestock grazing and limited hay baling are permitted under the program's guidelines. Regular USDA inspections ensure these lands promote biodiversity and ecological health.

Further emphasizing the state's dedication, approximately 1,800 South Dakota landowners maintain ongoing contracts with the USDA, covering about 1.48 million acres (about half the area of Connecticut). These contracts generate annual payments totaling $23.67 million, with an average payment of around $16 per acre.

In total, South Dakota's participation in all USDA conservation reserve programs involves 14,150 landowners and nearly 2.4 million acres (about half the area of New Jersey), with annual payments reaching $137.29 million. The average payment across these programs stands at $57.40 per acre.

At the national level, the recent enrollments bring the total acres in USDA land conservation initiatives to nearly 27 million, hitting the department's statutory cap.

Zach Ducheneaux, the administrator for USDA’s Farm Service Agency and a South Dakota rancher, praised the effort, stating, "The enrollment news is a testament to the commitments made by the farmers, ranchers, and landowners we serve to mitigate the impacts of climate change by conserving, protecting and enhancing our natural resources.” This collective effort underscores a nationwide commitment to preserving and enhancing the United States' natural landscapes.

Photo Credit: south-dakota-grassland-coalition