Being conservation minded, Ann Schneckloth has been involved in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) almost since its inception, and it has paid off in several ways.

Back in 1988, Ann and her late husband, Roger Ott, signed their first CRP contract, enrolling 19.2 acres of their marginal farmland into the program and planting cool season grasses. That was only the beginning.

"Roger and Ann were very conservation minded, and they wanted to do what they could to improve their property for wildlife and water quality," said Greg Heidebrink, of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "They felt CRP was their best opportunity to accomplish these goals and leave a legacy of conservation."

The following year, Roger and Ann enrolled 25.5 acres in CRP and planted the tract to hardwood trees. Ann and Roger appreciated the benefits of CRP; an increase in wildlife populations and an improvement in water quality. After Roger Ott passed away in 1992, Ann also came to appreciate the financial stability offered by CRP. But, it was value of conservation that inspired her to stick with the program.

Ann married Jon Schneckloth in 1997, and together, they continued working with CRP. In 1998, 18.2 acres of the original 19.2 acres were reenrolled and planted to native prairie, with the remaining 1.0 acre planted to trees. In 1999, 20.3 acres of marginal pastureland were enrolled in the program and dedicated to a Riparian Buffer Strip. In 2000, their 25.5 acre Tree Planting was reenrolled, and, finally, in 2004, a 7.0 acre Field Windbreak was planted.

Greg recently asked Ann about changes she has noticed in the areas now enrolled in CRP. "One of the first things she said was, 'The prairie is wonderful!'" She also talked about the different habitat types that have been developed through CRP and the increases in the variety of wildlife species and the numbers of animals she and her husband now see.

And, there was an unexpected bonus. "One of the best things that the CRP program has done is that it has allowed me to meet a whole network of conservation minded people," said Ann. She and Jon have used these contacts not only to help improve their property, but to share the information they have learned about conservation with others. Each year the Schneckloths host an outdoor classroom program for all of the fifth grade students in Floyd County. This classroom covers topics ranging from forestry and tree planting to fisheries and water quality.

From the looks of things, the CRP remains an important part of Ann Schneckloth's life.

Ann and Jon Schneckloth have enrolled acreage under several CRP contracts, planting hardwood and other trees.

CRP provides excellent cover for fawn.

Habitat for different species of wildlife has developed on the CRP acreage.

Native wildflowers thrive on CRP acreage. The prairie is wonderful! says owner Ann Schneckloth.

Ann Schneckloth and her late husband, Roger Ott, first enrolled acreage in CRP in 1988. One of several CRP contracts includes 20 acres devoted to a Riparian Buffer.