The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it will hold another general sign-up opportunity for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Applications will be accepted from March 14 through April 15, 2011. Contracts awarded will become effective October 1, according to the Wildlife Management Institute.

Enrollment acreage for CRP was capped at 32 million acres in the 2008 Farm Bill. Current enrollment for the program is 31.1 million acres. USDA plans to enroll 4 million acres during the upcoming sign-up, which would nearly offset the 4.4 million acres on which CRP contracts will expire next fall.

After several years in which no general sign-up opportunities were conducted, 2011 marks the second consecutive year that USDA has offered a general sign-up. During 2010, when 4.4 million CRP acres were expiring, landowners offered to enroll 4.8 million acres during the sign-up period; USDA accepted contracts on 4.3 million acres.

This year, 2011, is the 25^th anniversary of CRP. It clearly has been one of the most effective federal programs, not only for providing critical wildlife habitat, but also for controlling soil erosion and improving the nation's water quality. (pmr)