Wildfire Recovery Aid Expanded Through USDA CRP Program

By Scout Nelson

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a USDA initiative that helps agricultural producers and landowners convert environmentally sensitive or highly erodible land into protective vegetation such as native grasses, trees, and riparian buffers. In return, participants receive annual rental payments while supporting soil conservation, water quality improvement, and wildlife habitat development.

Following recent wildfires, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded emergency haying and grazing provisions for CRP-enrolled land in several states, including Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. The temporary measure allows CRP participants to donate grazing rights or haying authority to livestock producers affected by wildfire-related forage shortages.

The emergency authorization provides ranchers with additional feed resources by allowing eligible haying and grazing on qualifying CRP acreage. Landowners with active CRP contracts can participate without facing reductions in their program payments when supporting impacted livestock producers.

Producers and landowners are encouraged to contact their local FSA office before taking action on CRP acres. Agency staff can help determine eligibility, explain requirements, complete paperwork, and coordinate any necessary updates to conservation plans with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

This guidance is part of the Nebraska Recovery Roundup, a resource created by Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability. The program provides recovery information, resources, and practical support for agricultural producers and communities affected by wildfires.

Follow the series and find wildfire recovery resources on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/recovery.

Photo Credit: natural-resources