Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up is called such because the sign-up goes on most of the year.
This sign-up is only for the most environmentally sensitive practices like grass filter strips and tree buffers along streams, creeks, rivers and lakes.
Continuous CRP sign-up practices may be offered at any time, but not more than six months before the contract becomes effective. The best time for a continuous CRP sign-up offer is after April 1, 2022. The CRP contract will start the following Oct. 1, which gives USDA six months to process the offer and in time for the 2023 crops to be harvested.
Continuous CRP is different from general CRP sign-up in it does not have a designated annual sign-up period and it is not based on competitive bids. Continuous CRP is limited to only a few select practices and types of cover. General CRP is much more open. General CRP can usually offer an entire field if it has an eligible cropping history, but continuous CRP is limited to only several hundred feet along the stream or water body. General CRP has a competitive bid process and may or may not get accepted. After an offer, there is a waiting period before finding out whether the annual rental rate bid is accepted. Continuous CRP just determines a maximum annual rental rate and that is what you get.
Each year, a continuous CRP deadline is set to allow processing of all contracts offers that will take effect after Oct. 1. This year, that deadline is Aug. 6, 2023.
General and CRP sign-ups are held annually. Continuous CRP sign-up for FY 2023 began in October and will end this August. We are still awaiting the results on acceptable offers for the 2022 general CRP sign-up held earlier this year.
CRP Grasslands sign-up is in process also, and it offers opportunities for grazing land to enter CRP but does not restrict grazing like regular CRP.
CRP Grasslands is a competitive bid process and is heavily weighted toward native grass pasture instead of introduced grasses like Bermuda or Bahia. Ranking is also much higher where the grassland is threatened by urban growth like areas around cities and towns that are likely to convert the grassland into homes or businesses.
Landowners and farmers may inquire by contacting the Tallahatchie County FSA office at 662-647-8857, ext. 2.
