COLUMBUS, Ohio — The State Executive Director for Ohio’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Leonard Hubert, reminds producers that the signup period for Lake Erie CREP runs through Aug. 23.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal conservation partnership with the state of Ohio through ODA. CREP is designed to address agriculture-related environmental concerns. Ohio’s Lake Erie CREP began back in 2000 with the main objective to improve water quality in all of our rivers, streams, and tributaries within the Lake Erie watershed with a special emphasis on the Blanchard and Tiffin Rivers as important tributaries of the Maumee River. These conservation practices will target environmentally sensitive areas to reduce sediments and nutrients, minimize the risk of flooding, and improve habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
Landowners and farm operators may choose from a number of practices including grass filter strips, hardwood tree plantings, wildlife habitat, wetlands and windbreaks that work together to prevent chemicals, soil, and other contaminants from running off of cropland and into waterways. Also, participants can earn money on less economically viable land, such as land along ditch banks, streams, and woodlands.
In exchange for installing and maintaining these practices, participants will earn a guaranteed annual rental payment for 14 to 15 years plus receive cost share and potential incentives to cover the majority of the cost of practice installation. The annual payment for the conservation practice will be similar to what is paid for cash rent on the three predominant soils of the CREP practice area. Additional soil rental rate incentives are available as well. Also, FSA can provide you with an estimate of the payments you would be eligible to receive for the duration of the contract period (14-15 years).
New for 2019 is the $200 bonus offered by the state of Ohio (through SWCD’s) for all newly enrolled filter strip and riparian area practices. For current CREP participants with expiring contracts, re-enrolling and expanding the width of filter strips or riparian areas will earn you the bonus dollars on those newly added acres all the while expanding the environmental protection of these practices.
The Lake Erie CREP is available in 27 counties: Allen, Ashland, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Lorain, Marion, Medina, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot.
Landowners and operators interested in signing up for the Lake Erie CREP program should contact their county Farm Service Agency office.
— Ohio Farm Service Agency
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