Gaines County is located in the South Plains of Texas. This county has nearly 700,000 acres of cropland planted primarily to cotton, grain sorghum, wheat, and peanuts. For many years, Gaines County has ranked among the top two counties in Texas in cotton production.

Due to the county's low average rainfall - only about 16 inches per year - high winds, and loose soil type, many farms proved excellent candidates for CRP. The average erosion index (EI) for land under CRP contract in Gaines County is 29 tons per acre per year, well above the 8 tons per acre weighted average EI required for CRP eligibility.

Current CRP enrollment in Gaines County covers nearly 200,000 acres and 1,057 contracts. CRP has greatly reduced the soil erosion in the county.

Many individuals tell stories of the days before CRP: leaving school and not being able to see due to all of the sand in the air. Since the implementation of CRP in 1985, sand storms have been greatly reduced. CRP has improved the well-being of the residents and helped the environment.

Before CRP, blowing soil reduced visibility and air quality..

Cropland in Gaines County is highly susceptible to wind erosion.

CRP has significantly reduced soil erosion in Gaines County.