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CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM. Preparing producers for land use and conservation decisions. WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT CRP?. THE PROGRAM:. CURRENTLY 1,907,143 ACRES IN ACTIVE CONTRACTS IN IOWA. 63% (OR OVER 1.2 MILLION ACRES) ARE SET TO EXPIRE BY 9/30/2009.
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CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM Preparing producers for land use and conservation decisions
THE PROGRAM: • CURRENTLY 1,907,143 ACRES IN ACTIVE CONTRACTS IN IOWA. • 63% (OR OVER 1.2 MILLION ACRES) ARE SET TO EXPIRE BY 9/30/2009. • 28 MILLION ACRES ARE SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE BETWEEN 2007 AND 2010 IN THE UNITED STATES.
THINK ABOUT THE LAND • MANY ACRES ARE VERY EROSIVE • WATER QUALITY IMPACTS CAN BE HIGH • CURRENTLY PROVIDING MANY ACRES OF WILDLIFE HABITAT • MANY SOIL TYPES DO NOT PRODUCE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE YIELDS • IF ROW CROPPED, MANY OF THESE FIELDS WILL RQUIRE INTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE CONSERVATION MEASURES
WHO OWNS THESE ACRES? • ELDERLY • ABSENTEE • RETIRED
WHAT ARE THE FORCES AFFECTING LAND USE DECISIONS? • LAND PRICES • CROPLAND RENTAL RATES • SEVERAL YEARS OF HIGH YIELDS • FARM BILL PROGRAM OPTIONS • PRODUCER GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
HAPPENING RIGHT NOW! • WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO SURVEY CONTRACT HOLDERS • Land use objectives • DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR PREPARING STAFF • DEVELOPING PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
NRCS OBJECTIVES • MAINTAIN EVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF CRP, EVEN IF THE LAND IS CROPPED AGAIN • PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR PRODUCERS TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS AND POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS