Description
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners. Through CRP, you can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland (From USDA).
Strengths
Landowners voluntary take land out of production in environmentally sensitive areas which will limit erosion and the washing of nutrients into waterways while providing expanded habitat for wildlife. In return, landowners receive a rental payment from the Farm Service Agency.
Weaknesses
The program requires federal funding to incentivize the program and must offer cost sharing benefits to return formerly agricultural lands to their natural states.
Examples:
Example 1: Federal Farm Service Agency
Description: A program administered by the Farm Service Agency, the Conservation Reserve Program offers land owners an annual rental payment for removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production. Sign-up periods and information are available at the following website.