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“The ability to provide establishment payments is the critical element that really makes the Conservation Forage Program work for landowners who are interested in keeping their lands working to produce food, for the world and for wildlife,” Marshall Johnson, executive director of Audubon Dakota, said in a statement. “We know North Dakota landowners love their land, and so do birds. By acknowledging and investing in the financial commitment of converting marginal lands to grassland, this program can be a win-win for the agriculture and conservation communities. After years of collaborating and planning, we are thrilled to finally offer the Conservation Forage Program to producers.”
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.