CREP FY 2012 Annual ReportConservation Reserve Enhancement Program

The 2011 Legislature has approved the Upper Arkansas River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for another year. The county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices may continue to accept offers until June 30, 2012. A new 28,950 acre goal limit has recently been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Irrigated rental rate increases of $5 - $15 per acre have also been approved by USDA throughout the project area. A total of 11,891 acres are currently under enrollment or pending offers from producers.

So far, the interest in this new voluntary project has been especially strong in the sandy soil areas south of the Arkansas River in the westernmost counties. This incentive-based conservation project is designed to reduce the use of irrigation water and reduce non-point pollution in the Upper Arkansas River corridor. CREP is a partnership between the USDA and the State of Kansas.

For more information on this program please contact Steve Frost, Water Conservation Program Manager, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation.