The last day to submit a contract under the CRP Signup is Friday, August 27, 2010.

CRP is a voluntary program that will allow agricultural producers to use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefit. Producers may be able to enroll these environmental acres into long-term conserving covers to control soil erosion, improve water and air quality, and develop wildlife habitat. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 to 15 years.

To be eligible for CRP, land must be cropland that is planted or considered planted to an agricultural commodity four of the six crop years from 2002 to 2007 and capable of being planted in a normal manner to an agricultural commodity. Multiyear grasses and legumes planted in 2002 after a commodity crop grown in 2001 such as corn will also be eligible land. The land must also have a weighted average erosion index of eight or higher.

Rental payments are based on the relative productivity of the soils within each county and the average dry-land cash rent. The CRP rental rate will be calculated by office staff for each offer prior to enrollment.

There is also cost-share assistance provided to the participants who establish approved cover on eligible acres of cropland. The cost-share assistance is 50 percent.

Also available is CRP Continuous Signup for eligible acres that meet the cropping history 4 out of the 6 years between 2002 and 2007 or land that is considered marginal pasture land located next to a stream or body of water. These fields can be enrolled from a minimum of 30 feet to a maximum of 120 feet.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).