U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Conservation Reserve Program participants in their contract's final year may request voluntary termination to help food producers make informed decisions.
The Conservation Reserve Program, administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency, pays farmers to remove certain land from food production in exchange for rental payments. Allowing early contract release is part of an effort to prevent a global food crisis that could be sparked by Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a May 26 USDA news release.
"Putin's unjustified invasion of Ukraine has cut off a critical source of wheat, corn, barley, oilseeds and cooking oil, and we've heard from many producers who want to better understand their options to help respond to global food needs," FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said in the release. "This announcement will help producers make informed decisions about land use and conservation options."
The voluntary contract termination is "a flexibility" being implemented this year "to help mitigate the global food supply challenges caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other factors," the news release said. USDA also announced "additional flexibilities" for its Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. Participants approved for the one-time, voluntary contract termination will not be required to repay rental payments.
FSA already is mailing letters to food producers who have expiring acreage in the Conservation Reserve Program, the release reported. The letters include information about the one-time contract termination flexibility and also shares other available options, such as re-enrolling certain acreage into the program's continuous signup and whether to grow organic crops.
According to the release, land in the CRP typically has no pesticide or herbicide application history, which is why USDA is encouraging producers to consider organic production. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing producers considering organic production with technical assistance, including pest management and mulching, in addition to financial assistance. FSA also offers cost-share for certification costs and other fees.
