Thelma Godwin and her husband Dick Godwin of McNairy County, Tennessee, have been involved in the CRP since its inception. The Godwins farmed 160 acres of their 250 acres in corn and soybeans prior to their enrollment in the CRP program.

Thelma originally enrolled 113 acres of highly erodible cropland in the CRP in 1985. Erosion on those acres was reduced by 16 tons per acre per year for a total of over 1,800 tons of soil per year. The Godwins continue to farm approximately 40 acres of non highly-erodible land in corn and soybeans.

The original CRP contract expired in 1997, and Thelma offered it for reenrollment in each of the next 3 general signup periods. However, due to a low Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) score, only 38 of the original 113 acres were accepted for reenrollment.

During the next signup opportunity, the Godwins decided to increase the likelihood of getting a new CRP contract by offering to plant a wildlife-friendly native warm season grass mixture, and an additional 91 acres of land were accepted for reenrollment in CRP.

Thelma and Dick have been so pleased with the native warm season grass mixture and its wildlife habitat that they have also enrolled a few acres of non highly-erodible land, installing CRP Filter Strips and Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds. Their CRP practices now cover over 141 acres, including Filter Strips planted to native warm season grasses, Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds planted to switchgrass and lespedeza, Permanent Native warm season grasses, and Grass and Legumes - Already Established.

The Godwins are extremely excited about recently seeing three covey of quail on their farm where quail were previously non-existent. Also, the populations of other wildlife such as deer and turkey have improved on their farm.

The CRP has been a great success for Thelma and Dick Godwin as well as for many others in their community. Improved wildlife habitat, reduced soil erosion, improved water quality, and financial stability are many of the benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program in McNairy County.

The Godwins were so pleased with the native warm season grass mixture that they later enrolled some non-highly-erodible land in CRP Filter Strips and Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds.

Thelma and Dick Godwin first enrolled highly erodible cropland in CRP in 1985.

The Godwins were so pleased with the native warm season grass mixture, they later enrolled in CRP Filter Strips and Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds.