To former and retired agricultural producers like Vern and Becky Nagel of St. Croix County, CRP and Wisconsin CREP have a lot of appeal. Both programs enable landowners to maintain ownership of their property while reducing erosion and improving wildlife populations and water quality. In addition, the income from annual rental payments helps pay property taxes and other costs.

Vern and Becky Nagel own a 240-acre parcel that was formerly custom-farmed by Vern. Realizing the farm was too wet and had minimal production value for farming, Vern decided to return the land to native grasses and wildflowers, wildlife shrub plantings, and mixed hardwood tree plantings. He took the opportunity to enroll each area of the farm into a multitude of programs.

On the 240-acre farm Vern and Becky have installed: 180 acres of mixed native grasses and wildflowers, 10 acres also devoted to wildlife shrubs, 10 acres of mixed hardwood tree plantings, and eight acres of Filter Strips and Riparian Buffers installed through Wisconsin CREP or CRP. There are some existing woodlands, and the Nagels intend to enroll the remaining cropland in CRP. In addition, enrolled in CRP are two significant Wetland Restoration practices and seven small sediment scrapes, all of which required partnering with other agencies and modifying existing wet soils for wildlife benefits.

Vern has taken responsibility to maintain his property by mowing grasslands and performing prescribed burning with the assistance of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Great care has been taken to minimize tree encroachment as well as noxious weeds on this large parcel. Annually, he plants a large Wildlife Food Plot on CRP for the benefit of over-wintering wildlife.

Vern, although not a hunter himself, has noted an abundance of wildlife on the farm -- both game and non-game animals -- and has recorded the sightings of more than 50 species of songbirds. On several waterways and drainages that existed before adjacent acreage was enrolled in CRP, great changes have come from the native grasses. Vern noted that waterways now flow with clean, clear water and there are no soil particles.

The property is a shining example of the benefits of CRP for landowners and the environment. Vern and Becky have won the Land and Water Conservation Department's Wildlife Habitat Development Award both in St. Croix County and for a nine county area. It is easy to see why.

Small parcel of acres of Continuous CRP, Buffer strips, next to a small creek coming out of the field.

Another small parcel of Continuous CRP, shallow water area for wildlife. It is north of the above buffer strips and if you look closely, you can see 3 Canada Geese, plus some other birds.

Beautiful stand of CRP established grass. In the background nearer the trees is another CRP field, this one of native grass.