DES MOINES – Late in December the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 49th general signup for the popular Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
More than 800 contracts encompassing nearly 22,000 acres of general CRP expire in Iowa this fall and this is the first opportunity for landowners to bid land back into the general CRP since June 2013. Landowners have until Feb. 26 to make an offer.
“Whether the goal is to bring back pheasants, plant woodland for long-term profit or improving water quality, the general Conservation Reserve Program is great for landowners and farmers who want to protect environmentally sensitive land,” said Chuck Gipp, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
This sign-up is expected to be very competitive and Iowa landowners will have to make the best offers possible to be accepted, said Todd Bogenschutz Upland Game Biologist for the Iowa DNR.
Bogenschutz suggested that landowners should visit with one of the DNR’s private lands staff to explore all potential options.
To contact a DNR wildlife biologist or forester to receive technical help or learn more about options available with the CRP visit www.iowadnr.gov/crp. Or, visit the local USDA office. Pheasants Forever also have staff available to assist Iowa landowners with the CRP iowapf.net/Staff.aspx