PIERRE, S.D. – Beginning on Monday, May 13, agricultural producers and/or landowners will have the opportunity to enroll eligible land into many different continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practices.

There are more than 200,000 acres available in South Dakota for enrollment in the Pheasant SAFE, Western SD Grassland Wildlife SAFE, Duck Nesting Habitat Initiative, Flood Plain and Non-floodplain Wetland Restoration, Farmed Wetland Program, and James River Watershed Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).  Many of the continuous CRP practices have additional payment incentives to protect sensitive lands like wetlands and highly erodible lands.    

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency will also accept general CRP offers nationwide from May 30 to June 14.  The general CRP provides annual financial compensation to establish and maintain conservation cover on cropland for 10 to 15 years with the goals of increasing water quality, reducing soil erosion, and providing wildlife habitat. 

CRP plays an important role in South Dakota’s wildlife populations, said Chad Switzer, wildlife program administrator in the state Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

“The undisturbed grassland habitat that CRP provides in South Dakota is vitally important for grassland nesting songbirds, pheasants, and waterfowl, as well as big-game species like white-tailed deer,” Switzer said. “There is a proven record on the benefits of CRP in South Dakota in both influencing wildlife populations and by providing producers with another option in their land-management decisions.” 

For more information or to submit an offer, agricultural producers should set up an appointment with their local USDA Farm Service Agency Office

Pheasants Forever Farm Bill wildlife biologists will also host a series of informational meetings across South Dakota in coming weeks.  The biologists will answer questions about how CRP will work for landowners/agricultural producers.  If you cannot make one of the meetings, contact a GFP Private Lands biologist, visit http://www.gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/private-land/default.aspx or talk to a  Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist  .

South Dakota Pheasants Forever CRP Meeting Schedule

Date    Time   Biologist             Meeting   Venue                Town              County

5/13     7 p. m.  Emmett Lenihan    Barnett Center                 Aberdeen          Brown

5/15     7 p.m.   Emmett Lenihan    Marshall Cnty Comm Center  Britton         Marshall

5/16     7 p.m.   Ben Lardy              Clark Community Center   Clark               Clark

5/16     1 p.m.   Emmett Lenihan      Eureka Fire Hall               Eureka             McPherson

5/29     6 p.m.   Jim Ristau              Murdo Tech Center            Murdo             Jones

5/15     6 p.m.   Matt Morlock        Izaak Walton League         Pierre               Hughes

5/14     2 p.m   .Emmett Lenihan      Roscoe Fire Hall                 Roscoe           Edmunds

5/16     5 p.m.   Emmett Lenihan      Clover Leaf Bar & Grill        Selby              Walworth

5/17     9 a.m    Ben Lardy               4H Building                          Sisseton            Roberts

5/22     7 p.m.   Matt Morlock         Volga Community Center     Volga                Brookings

5/21     6 p.m.   Jim Ristau                Two Spurs Bar & Grill         Wagner             Charles Mix

5/21     6 p.m.   Ben Lardy                Bramble Park Zoo               Watertown         Codington

5/15     7 p.m.   Ben Lardy                Day County Courthouse       Webster             Day

5/13     7 p.m   .Jim Ristau                 American Legion                  Winner               Gregory

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