September 2000

USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the State of Missouri have agreed to implement a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to reduce the risk of nutrients and sediment from farms entering the streams and reservoirs that supply rural water supplies to over 375,000 people.

The Missouri project's goal is to retire 50,000 acres of highly erodible and environmental sensitive land along streams for 83 reservoirs that supply 58 public water supplies in 36 counties. The Missouri CREP provides for voluntary agreements with farmers to convert cropland to native grasses, trees, and other vegetation, in return for rental payments and other incentives.

CREP is a joint Federal-State land retirement conservation program targeted to address local, State and nationally significant agricultural-related environmental concerns. This voluntary program uses financial incentives to encourage farmers and ranchers to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in contracts of 10 to 15 years duration to remove lands from agricultural production. CRP is the Nation's largest private lands conservation program and is implemented through USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Producers can offer land in any part of the 83 small watersheds that meets the eligibility requirements identified for the Missouri CREP.

The objectives of the Missouri CREP include:

Generally, USDA will pay, in the aggregate, up to 75 percent of the program costs and the State of Missouri the rest. USDA will pay rental and extra incentive payments to farmers for a 15-year agreement period. In addition, USDA will pay a $140 to $150 per acre signing bonus for land enrolled in the project. Almost all of the costs associated with establishing the conservation practice will be paid by USDA or the State of Missouri. USDA and Missouri will provide technical, educational, and engineering support.

To serve program goals better, specific CRP conservation practices have been identified for inclusion in the program. These are:

Eligible producers will be able to enroll in 14- to 15-year CRP contracts. Producers may extend the benefits of the program through separate contracts with the State. The applicant must be able to offer otherwise eligible acreage. The applicant also must satisfy the basic eligibility criteria for CRP.

Land must be cropland that has been cropped 2 out of the past 5 years and that is physically and legally capable of being cropped. Producers enrolling the land must generally have owned or operated the land for at least 1 year prior to enrollment. Persons who have an existing CRP contract or an approved offer with a contract pending are not eligible for CREP until that contract expires.

Participants in the Missouri CREP are eligible for six types of payments: four from FSA as well as two from the State of Missouri. These are:

Based on the full implementation of the Missouri CREP, which projects an enrollment of 50,000 acres, the expected financial Federal and State obligation will be approximately $85 million over 15 years, with $70 million coming from the Federal Government and $15 million coming from the State. This does not include any costs that may be borne by producers. Missouri's share is approximately 20 percent of the total program costs, and the Federal Government share is approximately 80 percent.

Producers may enroll in the general CRP and the continuous signup CRP as well as in CREP. CREP is another option that farmers may select to enhance their land. An applicant may still enroll in the regular general CRP or continuous signup CRP. CREP provides additional benefits not available through the general and/or continuous signup. The CREP enrollment process is on a continuous basis, and payments are at a higher effective rate.

Haying and grazing would not be permitted during the CRP contract period unless USDA permits it for emergency purposes under normal CRP rules.

Contact the local USDA Service Center or FSA office, the County Soil and Water Conservation District, or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Soil and Water Conservation Program. Information may also be obtained from the FSA website at: www.fsa.usda.gov and the DNR website at: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.