Submitted by Gary Huschle
Crookston Times
A USDA news release announcing signups for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) recently caught my eye. The General CRP signup runs from January 4 to February 12, and the CRP Grasslands signup from March 15 to April 23. Both programs are competitive and provide annual rental payments to farmers and ranchers who wish to establish and protect grasslands, provide erosion control, improved water quality, habitat, and safeguard pasturelands.
CRP grasslands are very special to me. Nearly all of my sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chicken hunting occurs on these private lands. My sincere thank you to all landowners that allow people to hunt their CRP. It has turned out to be a great program for farmers and ranchers, conservation, wildlife, hunters and wildlife watchers, and local communities.