Habitat & Conservation  |  04/27/2016

USDA Supports Increase in CRP to 30 Million Acres


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On Tuesday, April 26th, Michael Scuse, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s acting deputy secretary, announced his support for raising the cap on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres from the current 24 million to 30 million.  Mr. Scuse’s comments were made during a speech to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters and comes as welcome news for hunter-conservationists across the country.

“This is good news from USDA and an important demonstration of support for CRP, America’s most successful wildlife habitat tool,” confirmed Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s vice president of government affairs.  “CRP is the critical ingredient to creating the habitat necessary for healthy pheasant populations experienced just a decade ago when the program boasted nearly 40 million acres of habitat.”

Nomsen added, “If we want to get serious about addressing wildlife habitat needs, water quality issues, pollinator and monarch losses, and soil health, then more Conservation Reserve Program acres is definitely a big part of the solution.”

At Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever, we believe there is room for wildlife habitat on every farm.  CRP is a critical tool for creating that habitat in harmony with agricultural producers’ ability to make a living on their farm.  

(USFWS photo)