CREP
(Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) |
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CREP is a voluntary program offering financial incentives to help farmers and landowners protect and improve water quality and wildlife habitat. |
| Through this new program, many Wisconsin farmers will now be able to install and maintain conservation buffers. Buffers and other practices can significantly reduce the sediment and phosphorus that impairs many Wisconsin waters. |
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For land to be eligible it must be cropland that has been cropped 2 of the past 5 years and is physically and legally capable of being cropped. Marginal pastureland is also eligible provided it is suitable for use as a riparian buffer planted to trees.
Interested landowners should consult with their local USDA Service Center representative to find out what practices are eligible for their CREP area and specific acreage. Conservation practices such as the establishment of permanent introduced or native grasses, grassed waterways, filter strips, riparian buffers, wetland restoration and establishment of rare and declining habitat may be eligible for enrollment in the Wisconsin CREP.
There is no waiting period for this program, and there is no competition with other applicants; however, enrollment and eligibility determinations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. |
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Listed below are the various payments that participants are eligible to receive:
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Signing Incentive Payment - a one-time payment of up to $150 per acre for land enrolled in a riparian buffer practice, filter strip, or grassed waterway. USDA makes this payment soon after the contract has been signed.
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Practice Incentive Payment - payment equal to about 40 percent of the total cost for establishing the practice. This payment is in addition to the 50 percent cost share assistance that USDA provides.
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Annual rental payment of 135 to 160 percent of the dry land cash rental rate for the county in which the land is located depending on the practice being installed. A maintenance rate of $5 to $10 established by practice, is added to the annual rental rate calculation.
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Cost share assistance for installing the conservation practices on retired land equal to 50% of eligible practice installation costs.
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A one-time lump sum payment from the State of Wisconsin for acreage under a permanent easement or 15 year contract.
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Additional Wisconsin Practice Incentive Payment - payment equal to about 20% of the cost to install the practice. |
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| The USDA Farm Service Agency administers the federal part of the program and makes cost-share, incentive and rental payments to farmers. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical assistance to plan and install the conservation practices and certifies that practices are complete. The Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection administers the state portion of the program and provides funds for incentive and practice payments. County Land Conservation Departments may provide conservation planning, practice certification and monitoring of agreements or easements. |
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| Maps of the eligible areas for CREP in Wisconsin are available at the local USDA Service Center. |
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| For more information, visit the NRCS web page that explains the program. |
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| To talk to someone in our office about the CREP program, email or call 608-637-5477. |
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