USDA Outlines Farm Bill Implementation Update on Conservation

(WASHINGTON, DC) Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue provided an update on USDA’s implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill Wednesday. In regards to Title Two, which focuses on conservation, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering one-year extensions to existing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants and reopening enrollment for existing Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreements. They plan to offer a General CRP sign-up in December. Also, last month, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that it is investing $25 million per year over the next five years to help support On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials, part of the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). NRCS will accept proposals through July 15, 2019, for the new On-Farm Trials. NRCS also announced the availability of $12.5 million to support CIG on agricultural lands and will accept proposals through July 30, 2019.