Conservation Reserve Program

A program authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985, designed to reduce erosion on 40-45 million acres of U.S. farmland. Under the program, producers who sign contracts agree to convert highly erodible cropland to approved conservation uses for 10 years. In exchange, participating producers receive annual rental payments and cash or payments-in-kind to share up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing permanent vegetative cover. The FAIR Act of 1996 extends authorization to enroll land through 2002 and caps maximum CRP acreage at 36.4 million acres, its 1995 level. The Act also makes the program spending mandatory and finances it through the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Authorization Path: 1.2.1.2.12.0