GRP is a voluntary program for landowners to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property. USDA's NRCS, FSA, and Forest Service implement GRP to conserve vulnerable grasslands from conversion to cropland or other uses and conserve valuable grasslands by helping maintain viable ranching operations.

GRP emphasizes support for working grazing operations: enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity: and protection of grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under threat of conversion to cropping, urban development, and other activities that threaten grassland resources.

Restoring and protecting grasslands contributes positively to the economy of many regions, provides biodiversity of plant and animal populations, and improves environmental quality.

Applications may be filed for an easement or rental agreement with NRCS or FSA at any time. Participants voluntarily limit future use of the land while retaining the right to conduct common grazing practices; produce hay; conduct fire rehabilitation; and construct firebreaks and fences.

GRP contracts and easements prohibit the production of crops (other than hay), fruit trees, and vineyards and any other activity that would disturb the surface of the land, except for appropriate land management activities included in a conservation plan.

Each state will establish ranking criteria that will prioritize enrollment of working grasslands. The ranking criteria will consider threats of conversion, including cropping, invasive species, urban development, and other activities that threaten plant and animal diversity on grazing lands.

Permanent Easement. This is a conservation easement in perpetuity. Easement payments for this option equal the fair market value, less the grassland value of the land encumbered by the easement. These values will be determined using an appraisal.

Thirty-year Easement. USDA will provide an easement payment equal to 30 percent of the fair market value of the land, less the grassland value of the land encumbered by the easement.

For both easement options, USDA will provide all administrative costs associated with recording the easement, including appraisal fees, survey costs, title insurance, and recording fees. Easement payments may be provided, at the participant's request, in lump sum or annual payments (equal or unequal amounts) for up to 10 years.

Participants may choose a 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, or 30-year contract. USDA will provide annual payments in an amount that is not more that 75 percent of the grazing value of the land covered by the agreement for the life of the agreement. Payments will be disbursed on the agreement anniversary date each year.

An approved grassland resource management plan identifying required restoration activities will be incorporated within the rental agreement or easement. CCC may provide up to 90 percent of the restoration costs on lands that have never been cultivated, and up to 75 percent of the cost on restored grasslands and shrub lands that were previously cropped. Participants will be paid upon certification of the completion of the approved practice by NRCS or an approved third party. Participants may contribute to the application of a cost-share practice through in-kind contributions. The combined total cost-share provided by Federal or State Governments may not exceed 100 percent of the actual cost of restoration.

Landowners who can provide clear title on privately owned lands are eligible to participate for either easement option. Landowners and others who have general control of the acreage may submit an application for a rental agreement.

Offers for enrollment must contain at least 40 contiguous acres, unless NRCS determines that special circumstances exist to accept a lesser amount.

Individuals or entities that have an average adjusted gross income exceeding $2.5 million are not eligible to receive program benefits. However, an exemption is provided in cases where 75 percent of the adjusted gross income is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry operations.

Eligible land includes privately owned and Tribal lands, such as grasslands; land that contains forbs (including improved rangeland and pastureland or shrubland); or land that is located in an area that historically has been dominated by grassland, forbs, or shrubland that has the potential to serve as wildlife habitat of significant ecological value. Incidental lands may be included to allow for the efficient administration of an agreement or easement.

Grassland Reserve Program, Section 2401 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171)

NRCS Program Contact

Elizabeth Crane (202) 690-1905

FSA Program Contact

Jim Williams, (202) 720-9562