Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting Grassland Reserve Program Applications through May 29

Little Rock, AR, May 15, 2009 – Farmers and landowners in Arkansas have until May 29, 2009, to submit applications for the Grassland Reserve Program.  The signup is continuous, but all applications meeting the eligibility requirements that have been submitted by close of business May 29, will be ranked and considered for 2009 funding.  The program is for working grazing lands.  Land established in grass and enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that is set to expire within the next 12 months is also eligible.

“GRP is a voluntary program that helps protect valuable grasslands from conversion to other land uses, thus helping to ensure this national resource is available to future generations,”  said Kalven L. Trice, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Arkansas.  “Enrollment of land in GRP will have a positive economic impact and improve environmental quality by preventing the conversion of grassland to other uses, including crop production and urban development.”

Applicants may select to enroll under the permanent easement option or for a rental contract of 10, 15, or 20-year duration.  There is no minimum acreage that must be enrolled by a participant in the program. The 2008 Farm Bill limits annual payments for rental contracts in GRP to a maximum of $50,000.

Administration of GRP is a coordinated effort between NRCS and USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).  NRCS is the lead agency responsible for technical assistance, regulatory compliance, and easement administration, while FSA has the lead responsibility for the administration of the rental contracts and financial activities of the program.

For more information on the 2009 GRP signup, contact the local USDA/NRCS field service center or visit:  http://www.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/.

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