For part-time farmer Gerald Eichem, wildlife and conservation are high priorities. That's why he enrolled his land in Wabaunsee County, Kansas , in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

Gerald, who also works for the city of St. Marys , originally had two CRP contracts dating back to 1996. The first contract included six fields with Riparian Buffers/Filter Strips, a practice now known as Filter Strips. This practice removes sediments, organic matter, pesticides, and other pollutants from surface runoff, and is intended to reduce pollution and protect surface water while enhancing the ecosystem. Gerald's second contract included seven fields with Permanent Native Grasses, and a Wildlife Food Plot. The native grasses enhance environmental benefits, while the food plots enhance wildlife habitat.

Gerald was able to re-enroll his land for another 10-year period, and since both of the original contracts were on the same tract, he was able to roll them into one contract. With the new contract came new conservation practices, including Permanent Wildlife Habitat Non-easement, Permanent Native Grasses, Wildlife Food Plots and Vegetative Cover - Trees - Already Established. The Permanent Wildlife Habitat will preserve and improve the environment for wildlife. Forbs were added to the Permanent Native Grasses practice. Gerald is committed to continuing to provide wildlife food plots. The practice, Vegetative Cover - Trees - Already Established, re-enrolled acreage that had trees and has provided benefits to many turkey, deer, quail, and rabbits found on this CRP land.

Native Grass on Gerald Eichem's land.

Riparian Buffers and Filter Strips on Gerald Eichem's land.

Wildlife Food Plot and Riparian Buffer on Gerald Eichem's land.