USDA Programs for Private Landowners

USDA Farm Service Agency Conservation Reserve Program

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a competitive program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). CRP is a voluntary conservation program for private landowners which targets removing highly erodible cropland from production and improving habitat for declining wildlife species on cropland and pastureland. CRP offers financial and technical assistance for the establishment and management of permanent vegetation to stabilize soil, improve water quality, and improve wildlife habitat. CRP is the basis for three different yet similar programs: Continuous CRP (CCRP), General CRP, and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). All of these CRP programs require a minimum contract length of 10 years. Also, they each have a level of cost share for establishment of vegetation and provide an annual rental payment for maintaining vegetation on the enrolled acreage.

General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 

Sign-ups for general CRP are announced periodically and at the discretion of USDA as directed by Farm Bill legislation. Fields offered for enrollment must be designated as highly erodible, and entire fields may be offered. Landowners or producers must submit an offer to be ranked. The acceptance on an offer is based on an Environmental Benefit Index which takes many factors into consideration including field location and vegetation to be established. General CRP provides 50% cost assistance for vegetation establishment, 50% cost assistance with management practices, and annual rental payment based on soil type. For additional information on CRP  contact your local Farm Service Agency office.

Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) 

CCRP is a non-competitive program administered by the FSA.  Landowners or producers can sign-up for CCRP anytime during the year as long as there are acres allocated in the state for the desired practice. CCRP was developed to address specific environmental concerns in a more direct fashion than general CRP.  For example, declining habitats, such as wetlands and early succession, can be enhanced on crop and pastureland using CCRP to establish and manage appropriate vegetation.  Water quality and aquatic habitats can be protected by establishing permanent vegetation in riparian buffer zones which are currently cropped or grazed.   CCRP provides $100 per acre sign on bonus, 50% cost assistance for vegetation establishment, a 40% establishment incentive payment, 50% assistance with management practices, and an annual rental payment based on soil type. For additional information on CCRP contact your local Farm Service Agency office.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) 

CREP is a non-competitive program administered by the FSA with additional funding from the North Carolina Division of Soil and Water.  Landowners or producers can sign-up for CREP anytime during the year as long as there are allocations in the state for the desired practice.  CREP was developed to address water quality concerns in selected watersheds within North Carolina.  Practices such as riparian buffers and wetland restoration are the primary tools funded to meet CREP’s objective.  CREP is available in much of the state including all river basins from the Yadkin basin to the coast.  Contract lengths through the CREP program range from 10 years to permanent easements, and cost share payments are dependent on contract length.  Annual rental payments are paid for at least 10 years and are higher compared to other CRP programs.  CREP has many options to fit landowners’ objectives and protect water quality.  Consult a CREP specialist prior to sign-up. For information on CREP contact a program specialist. 

Free technical guidance and information related to managing CRP for wildlife is available from Wildlife Commission staff.  Please call the Wildlife Resources Commission, Wildlife Management Division at 919-707-0050 if you have questions or need assistance. 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a competitive program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to assist with conservation practice implementation on privately owned lands. EQIP a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants in addressing resource concerns on eligible agricultural and forested land. Common concerns addressed by EQIP include livestock issues, soil quality and stabilization, forest health, and wildlife habitat quality. Applications are ranked and funds are distributed based on national, state, and local priorities. A portion of North Carolina’s EQIP allocation has historically been reserved for special natural resources projects within the state including wildlife habitat enhancement. Contracts awarded under EQIP can range from 2-6 years in length.

EQIP applications are accepted throughout the year on a continuous basis. Applications may be obtained and filed at any time at your local USDA Service Center or Conservation District office. Information also may be obtained through NRCS’s website.

Free technical guidance and information related to managing EQIP for wildlife is available from Wildlife Commission staff. Please call the Wildlife Resources Commission, Wildlife Management Division at 919-707-0050 if you have questions or need assistance. 

USDA Wetlands Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agricultural production. Over 1.9 million acres are currently enrolled in WRP.

Wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity, and provide opportunities for educational, scientific, and limited recreational activities.

The program offers three enrollment options:

  1. Permanent Easement is a conservation easement in perpetuity. USDA pays 100 percent of the easement value and up to 100 percent of the restoration costs.
  2. 30-Year Easement is an easement that expires after 30 years. USDA pays up to 75 percent of the easement value and up to 75 percent of the restoration costs. For both permanent and 30-year easements, USDA pays all costs associated with recording the easement in the local land records office, including recording fees, charges for abstracts, survey and appraisal fees, and title insurance.
  3. Restoration Cost-Share Agreement is an agreement to restore or enhance the wetland functions and values without placing an easement on the enrolled acres. USDA pays up to 75 percent of the restoration costs. 

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) changes the process for determining the easement value, directing the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the lowest of:

  • The fair market value of the land according to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices or an area-wide market analysis;
  • The geographic area rate cap as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture; or
  • The landowner’s offer.

Other important legislative changes include:

  • The total number of acres that can be enrolled in the program is 3,041,200 – an increase of 766,200 additional acres.
  • Payments for easements valued at $500,000 or more will be made in at least five annual payments.
  • For restoration cost-share agreements, annual payments may not exceed $50,000 per year.
  • No easement shall be created on land that has changed ownership during the preceding 7 years.
  • Eligible acres are limited to private and Tribal lands.

For more information and updates about WRP and other Farm Bill topics, please refer to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Free technical guidance and information related to managing WRP for wildlife is available from Wildlife Commission staff.  Please call the Wildlife Resources Commission, Wildlife Management Division at 919-707-0050 if you have questions or need assistance.

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