"Before CREP, the river looked like chocolate milk," said Tom Henninger, grandson of original farm owner James Paisley. "It has now reached a clarity never before seen." When the Paisley Bottom farm heirs enrolled the farm in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), they sought income stability for the property. The land was located on a difficult to farm floodplain in which crops were lost when the LaMoine River flooded production.

"But as time passed," said Tom, "CREP's contribution to the wildlife, environment, and our quality of life became increasingly apparent. Anytime of the year, you can see and listen to numerous quail thriving in their now-plentiful habitat. And, it is not uncommon to see 25 deer as I sit in my tree stand or ground blind."

Most importantly to Tom, CREP has enriched his quality of life. "My family, friends, and I use the property for hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. CREP has enhanced all of this."

"CREP has made this a great nature area to visit, because it so beautiful, alive with wildlife, but yet so undeveloped," says Paisley family member Tom Henninger.

Fertile bottomland is subject to flooding.

CRP filter strips filter runoff water.

Quail clutch on CRP contract acreage.

CREP has improved water quality in the river.