What is the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program? The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the country’s largest private-land conservation program. Administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), CREP targets high-priority conservation concerns identified by a State, and federal funds are supplemented with non-federal funds to address those concerns. In exchange for removing environmentally sensitive land from production and establishing permanent resource conserving plant species, farmers and ranchers are paid an annual rental rate along with other federal and state incentives as applicable per each CREP agreement. Participation is voluntary, and the contract period is typically 10–15 years.
Why Should you Enroll in CREP?
In addition to contributing to improvement of the environment in multiple ways, those enrolled in CREP receive an annual rental payment for their enrolled acres and may be eligible for additional incentives. FSA also provides cost-sharing to help offset the costs associated with installing the conservation practices.
Need help with maintenance of trees planted on CREP ground?
You could schedule some time for a forest technician at your site to walk the planting, helping you get on track with maintenance and improve survival. Cooperating agencies on this project are the County Conservation Districts of Bradford, Sullivan, Tioga and Wyoming Counties. Chesapeake Bay Foundation, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, and PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Also, some funding is provided by the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Outreach Program Office (administered by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.) Funding will provide a summer forest technician to do this work from May-August 2018. So if you are a landowner in Bradford, Sullivan, Tioga, or Wyoming Counties with trees planted through a CREP contract, make your appointment today by contacting the Farm Service Agency in Bradford County at (570)485-3142 or Nate Dewing at (570)485-3130