Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

USDA Farm Service Agency

Marginal Pasture Land

• Marginal Pasture Land = Stream Buffer

• Any land within 180 feet of stream or water body that is not already forestland or woodland

• Largest incentives to enroll

Eligible Cropland

• Physically and legally capable of being cropped

• Meets 4 of 6 year history requirement– 1996 to 2001– Crop history documentation required– Managed hay qualifies with documentation

• Meets the erodibility index (EI) requirement– EI based on soil type and slope

• Largest incentives for largest EIs

CREP Decision?

Larger payment incentives for steeper slope

Smaller payment incentive

CREP

CROP

2. FSA determines cropping history and eligibility

4. FSA determines rental rate

5. Applicant signs agreeing to acres and rental rate

6. NRCS develops conservation plans

7. FSA determines cost share estimate

8. Sign Contract!

3. NRCS decides if land is eligible

1. Applicant signs register at FSA Office

Payments

Payments

• Annual Rental Payments– Base Soil Rental Rate (SRR)

– Annual Maintenance Payment

– Incentive Payment

• Cropland

– EI 8 to 12 .75 x SRR

– EI > 12 to 20 1.5 x SRR

– EI > 20 to 25 1.75 x SRR

– EI > 25 to 30 2.0 x SRR

– EI > 30 2.25 x SRR

• Marginal Pasture 1.5 x SRR

Annual Rental Payments

• Paid in October after contract year ends

• Paid on acres enrolled

Cost-Share Assistance

– 50% from Farm Service Agency

– Up to 50% from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Not available on all practices. Cannot be assigned. Processing takes 4 to 6 months.

– Eligible costs limited by flat rates and not to exceed maximums

Incentive Payments

• Signing Incentive Bonus– $10 per acre per year– Paid at contract approval– Available on the water quality practices only

• Practice Incentive Payments– 40% of eligible cost– Paid after practice completion– Available on the water quality practices only

Pennsylvania Game Commission Incentive

• For establishment of warm season grass on highly erodible cropland

• Paid at the soil rental rate

• Limited to $2999

• Must be enrolled in Farm Game or Safety Zone program

• Additional planting assistance available from the Game Commission or other CREP partners

Planned AppliedField Amount Month Year Amount Date

2 2.9 ac. 6 20054 6.5 ac. 6 20059 5.4 ac. 6 2005

12 3.0 ac. 6 200515 4.4 ac. 6 200517 3.1 ac. 6 200520 28.2 ac. 6 2005

Total: 53.5 ac.

327 CP02 Establishment of Permanent Native GrassesEstablish native warm season grasses in the fields indicated on the conservation plan map. Seed using the mixture listed below or use an approved seed mixture. Do not apply nitrogen. DO NOT use a companion crop unless directed in the conservation plan mixture. For correct stand development follow detailed establishment and maintenance instructions for native warm season grasses. Seed between December 1 and June 1. Seeding after last frost may result in low germination. Switchgrass may be seeded with a standard drill with a legume box. Other warm season grasses require a warm season grass drill, or debearded seed. If the permanent seeding can not be completed by the deadline, a temporary cover of oats will be seeded (1 bu./ac.) on fields without adequate crop residues. Weed control (mowing or herbicide treatment) is critical during establishment period (two or three growing seasons). Mow (clip) above warm season grass seedling, 2-3 clippings may be necessary. Temporary cover crops may not be harvested. Haying or grazing is not permitted for the duration of the contract without permission from the Farm Service Agency. Seed to the following: 2 lbs/ac Big Bluestem, 2 lbs/ac Little Bluestem, 2 lbs/ac Indian Grass, 2 lbs/ac Switchgrass, 1 lb/ac Wildflower/Forb mix. 25% Partridge Pea 25% Plains Coreopsis 20% Wild Blue Lupine 20% Black Eyed Susan 7% Purple Coneflower 2% Prairie Blazing Star 1% Butterfly Milkweed or Spiked Gayfeather

Description of how to establish/mange your Conservation Practice

Specifications on materials to be used

Fields and acreage for specific practice

Upland Wildlife Habitat Management

Planned AppliedField Amount Month Year Amount Date

2 2.9 ac. 6 20054 6.5 ac. 6 20059 5.4 ac. 6 2005

12 3.0 ac. 6 200515 4.4 ac. 6 200517 3.1 ac. 6 200520 28.2 ac. 6 2005

Total: 53.5 ac.

645 cp2 The permanent cover will be considered established at the end of the third growing season following a seeding, unless otherwise determined and documented in writing by USDA personnel. Maintain permanent vegetation of native warm season grasses by following establishment and maintenance guidelines available from the NRCS office. Mid contract management for wildlife is allowed. To provide wildlife nesting cover, no mowing will occur on these fields from April 1st to July 31st. Herbicides may be used at any time to control noxious or invasive plant species or woody vegetation as long as it does not damage the established cover. Any permanent cover destroyed must be re-established. The invasion of woody vegetation may be controlled by conservation mowing from August 1st to August 10th on fields designated on the conservation map. Mow no lower than 10-12 inches. Harvesting of cover is not permitted for the duration of the contract period. IF NEEDED: ONLY SPOT MOWING MAY OCCUR ON WARM SEASON GRASS FIELDS, AFTER THE ESTABLISHEMENT PERIOD, TO CONTROL WOODY VEGETATION AND NOXIOUS PLANTS. SPOT MOWING IS ALLOWED EVERY THIRD YEAR FROM CONTRACT STARTING DATE FOR WOODY VEGETATION.338 Prescribed Burning Mid-Contract Management Activity- Fire is the most effective way of managing native warm season grasses. Prescribed burning reduces the excessive accumulation of plant residues and improves wildlife habitat. Prescribed burning can be preformed safely when done by competent, knowledgeable and skilled professionals. Prior to any burn, a Prescribed Burn Plan must be submitted to USDA. All federal, state, and local laws concerning outdoor burning, fire control, smoke management, and air quality must be followed. USDA does not assume any liability for damages if the fire escapes or smoke damage occurs. Contact USDA prior to any burn. The Prescribed Burn Plan must be conducted by a person certified to conduct prescribed burns and approved by the USDA. For alternative options contact the Farm Service Agency.

Once enrolled you should expect…

* annual rental payments

* inspections of your CREP acreage

Remember you are required to properly maintain the conservation practices throughout the life of the CREP contract!

CREP Practices

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

PA CREPNATIONAL PRIORITES

• Improve Water Quality

• Improve Wildlife Habitat * Primary Objective of PA CREP is Grassland Dependent Wildlife

• Reduce Soil Erosion

APPROVED CONSERVATION PRACTICES (CPs)

-CP 1 Establishment of Introduced Grass -CP 2 Establishment of Native Grass -CP4D Permanent Wildlife Habitat-CP8A Grass Waterways-CP9 Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife -CP10 Grass Already Established -CP12 Wildlife Foodplot -CP15A Contour Grass Strips -CP21 Filter Strips -CP22 Riparian Buffer -CP23 Wetland Restoration

-CP 29 Marginal Pasture Wildlife Habitat Buffer -CP 30 Marginal Pasture Wetland Buffer