The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pays a yearly rental payment in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental quality. Contracts can be between 10 to 15 years in length.
Rental Rates are determined by the 3 major soil types on the enrolled area. The Otter Tail rates range from $50/acre to $175/acre.
There is currently a General CRP signup running February 27th through April 7th.
The Walk-In-Access (WIA) program pays landowners a yearly per-acre payment to allow public hunting access on the area enrolled. The state takes liability for the length of the contract. There are 1, 2, and 3-year contracts available with payments at a flat rate of $18/acre.
There is not a current sign up, however this usually occurs in the beginning of the year.
The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) provides technical and financial help to landowners for conservation practices that protect soil and water quality. Grassed waterways, steam fencing, critical area planting, terraces, manure management systems including storage structures and barnyard runoff protection, and many other conservation practices are eligible for EQIP.
THE 2018 EQIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 18, 2017.
Through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to eligible producers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest lands, agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, and other private agricultural land (including cropped woodland, marshes, and agricultural land used for the production of livestock) on which resource concerns related to agricultural production could be addressed.
With CRP Grasslands, landowners and operators can protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland, and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as grazing lands. The program emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity and grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion. Participants receive annual payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 14 and 15 years.
