ST. PAUL — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has launched a new pilot program for farmers in the Prairie Pothole region to plant perennial cover for conservation use in exchange for payment.
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) pilot is available to producers in Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas and Montana. Signup continues to Aug. 21.
Up to 50,000 acres will be enrolled in the program, and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested landowners should contact their FSA county office to apply.
Through SHIPP, producers have the option of three-, four- or five-year CRP contracts to establish perennial cover on less productive cropland to improve soil health and water quality. Farmers may harvest, hay and graze the land during certain times of the year.
For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov/crp and contact your local office.
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