Agricultural producers and landowners are invited to a workshop on the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program hosted by Crawford and Erie county FSA, NRCS, Western PA Conservancy, and Conservation District offices.

The forum will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 381 in Cambridge Springs, PA. Pre-registration is appreciated, but not required.

The purpose of the program is to inform interested landowners about the CREP program, as well as answer questions about sign up, eligible practices, potential rental payments, etc. The forum will include presentations on the ins and outs of CREP, herd health benefits, and financial benefits to landowners.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and safeguard ground and surface water.

The program is a partnership among producers; tribal, state, and federal governments; and, in some cases, private groups. CREP is an offshoot of the country's largest private-lands environmental improvement program - the Conservation Reserve Program.

For more information call 814-825-6403 in Erie County or 814-336-2127 x2 in Crawford County.

3/23/2007