"CRP is without question the most important conservation program ever offered in this country. Its benefits to soil, water, and wildlife have returned benefits to the public that far exceed the cost of the landowner rental payments," said Peter Berthelsen, Howard County landowner, hunter, and Pheasants Forever representative. "Without CRP, I'd hate to see what kind of shape we'd be in."

Berthelsen believes that performing Mid Contract Management on CRP contracts is probably the single biggest factor that will determine how valuable CRP is to wildlife in the future. "You can't just plant grass, walk away for ten years, and expect it to continue to offer great wildlife habitat," he notes. To provide the best wildlife habitat, CRP grass stands require proper management and maintenance throughout the life of the CRP contract.

With a new CRP grass planting in place, Berthelsen looks forward to watching the land begin to heal itself. "Some of our fields were always giving us erosion problems and had to be worked each year. Now we can still receive an income off of our most fragile farm ground, address our erosion problems, and provide wildlife habitat...that's what I call a winning combination!"

Peter Berthelsen and hunting dog Raye enjoy a successful day hunting pheasants on CRP acreage.