Enrollment is now open for farmers in Iowa to take part in the Conservation Reserve Program, or CRP, for grasslands. Participating producers agree to use long-term conservation practices on their grasslands, such as rotational grazing or improving pasture cover to benefit pollinators and in turn the USDA’s Farm Service Agency provides an annual rental payment at 75 percent the grazing value of the land. The CRP-Grasslands contracts are for 15 years.

The Iowa Cattleman’s Association expressed support for the program and its benefits for cattle producers who maintain pasture acres.

The program was created by Congress through the 2014 Farm Bill and supports grazing lands. The enrollment period ends November 20th and farmers can file with the FSA.