Funding Database: Conservation Reserve Program

The Conservation Reserve Program reduces soil erosion, improves water quality, establishes wildlife habitat and enhances forest and wetland resources. Through the program, farmers can apply to receive rental payments and cost-share assistance for halting farming or ranching on sensitive land. To participate, farmers and ranchers must convert environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover. Vegetative cover can include tame or native grasses, wildlife plantings or trees. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency provides cost sharing to establish the vegetative cover practices. 

The Conservation Reserve Program accepts applications through general enrollment, continuous enrollment and grasslands enrollment. The grasslands track helps landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland. Ranchers are permitted to maintain the areas as grazing lands. 

In 2021, the program introduced a new climate-smart practices incentive for general and continuous sign-ups. The program rewards participants who implement conservation practices that increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must have owned or operated the land for at least 12 months. See the website for the list of exceptions (PDF).

Eligible Projects

Projects should remove sensitive land from agricultural use and introduce sustainable environmental practices. This includes reforestation, water quality improvement, erosion control and wildlife habitat conservation. See the general program fact sheet (PDF), the continuous enrollment fact sheet (PDF) and the Grassland fact sheet (PDF) for more details.

Funding Amount

The USDA Farm Service Agency bases rental rates on the relative productivity of the soils within each county and the average cash rent using data provided by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Grassland rates are based on 75% of the NASS pasture rate.

Match Requirements

The funder does not require a match.

Application Schedule

Applicants can enroll land through the continuous program track at any time. The general and grassland program tracks’ deadlines vary. See the latest deadlines on the sign-up page.

Application Process

Producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to discuss enrollment. The application may require detailed land information and proposed conservation practices.

Application Assistance

Contact your local USDA service center for assistance.

Funding Source

The USDA provides funding through congressional appropriations.