USDA Agencies Seeking Applications For Grassland Reserve Program

Representatives from Pennsylvania's USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency this week announced they are accepting applications for the first ranking of the Grasslands Reserve Program.

 

The deadline for the first round of applications is May 29. Applying for GRP is continuous; however, ranking dates are established to evaluate and select applications for funding.

 

"Grasslands provide critical ecological benefits and play a key role in environmental quality, as well as contributing to the economies of many rural areas," said Bill Foose, FSA Program Chief. Craig Derickson, NRCS State Conservationist, added, "The voluntary GRP helps protect valuable grasslands from conversion to other land uses, thus helping to ensure this national resource is available to future generations." The U.S. Department of Agriculture is directing financial resources and technical expertise to help landowners protect and restore these lands.

 

GRP, jointly administered by NRCS and FSA, offers producers several enrollment options: rental contracts with durations of 10, 15, or 20 years that pay an annual per-acre payment to the landowner, or permanent easements that provide a one-time, lump-sum payment to the landowner.

 

Participants will be required to implement a grazing management plan approved by NRCS.

Interested landowners can contact their local NRCS or FSA office listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture, or find general program information at the Grassland Reserve webpage.