When FSA announced its CRP Northern Bobwhite Quail Habitat Initiative in 2004, the Spencer family of Anderson County, Kansas, was among the first to enroll. The Spencers already had great experience with continuous sign-up CRP, over the years planting 376 acres of filter strips to remove nutrients and sediment from water running off their farmland.

Through the quail initiative, so far the Spencers have planted 91 acres to grass buffers along field borders. The buffers provide food and cover for once declining populations of bobwhite quail and other upland birds. Besides increasing quail numbers, the buffers will reduce soil erosion from wind and water, improve soil and water quality, and help protect the Spencers' on-farm ecosystem.

Northern bobwhite quail populations are recovering thanks to buffers planted by the Spencers and other farm owners.

Filter Strips on Spencer Farms' land in Anderson County.