The 2018 farm bill should be signed into law any day now, and it’s not a moment too soon. The farm bill of 2018 will distribute $867 billion to agricultural, environmental, and food programs for the next ten years. Without this money, programs like CRP would be forced to freeze operations until a new bill is approved.
Though conservation and environmental programs like CRP only make up 9% of farm bill expenses, they are almost completely dependent on the new set of funds that each farm bill brings. Thanks to its mass bi-partisan approval, the 2018 farm bill shouldn’t have any issues clearing the president’s desk.
Once the law passes, the number of acres available for enrollment in CRP will increase from 24 million to 27 million. This is the first time enrollment availability has increased since 1996. Actual enrollment in CRP peaked in 2007 with 36.8 million acres enrolled in the program.
The decrease that followed coincided with a significant increase in corn and soybean prices. In recent years, the enrollment in CRP has leveled off, and with the expansion of available acres, the future is primed for growth.
Why CRP is Important
The Conservation Reserve Program offers great benefits not only for the greater agricultural world, but for individual farmers looking to bring underperforming land back to health. The positive impact of CRP has been well document since it was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.
- CRP has prevented over 9 billion tons of soil from eroding
- 37 million ducks were hatched between 1992 and 2012 due to CRP
- Ring-Necked Pheasants have seen a 22% increase
- In 2017 alone, CRP reduced greenhouse gases by 44 million metric tons
- Additionally, CRP reduced sedimentation in water by 192 million tons
CRP also provides much needed support for pollinators in the US. The pollination of agricultural crops is valued at over $15 billion per year. You can see more results of CRP by clicking here.
But the best way to see what CRP can do is to enroll. Whether you’re a farmer who is struggling with damaged land, or you’re wanting to do some good in your local environment, CRP will pay you all the same.
The enrollment and transition process can be a bit technical, which is why FDCE offers a full turn-key solution for converting your land into CRP-approved fields. We buy the CRP seed mixes, supply the equipment, perform the planting, and submit all of the necessary reports. We can even assist in your initial enrollment.
Since CRP covers expenses for the conversion process, most of our service cost is covered for you.
If you’re considering CRP enrollment, contact FDCE today.