CONSERVATION COMPASS > FUNDING

General CRP

Modified On
April 6, 2026

The Conservation Reserve Program, most commonly known as CRP, is aimed at taking environmentally sensitive cropland out of production to establish long-term covers like grasses. Producers receive an annual rental payment. The general program uses a competetive ranking process to accept applications.

Info at a Glance

Lead Organization

USDA-FSA

Funding Source

Public (Federal)

Agronomist Support?

Technical support provided

Eligibility:

Producer must have owned or operated the land for at least 12 mo. prior to end of signup period (with some exceptions. // Cropland must have been planted in a commodity in 4/6 crop years between 2012 and 2017 // Land must meet critieria such as having high erosion index or being in a conservation priority area // Applications are competetive

Location

Statewide

Contract Length

10-15 years

Deadline

April 17, 2026

Sign-up Process

You must apply during an announced batching period. You will work with your FSA office to put together an offer. Offers are then given a score using factors like location, soil, proposed annual payment rate, etc. The Sec. of Ag determines the cutoff score and if your offer is at or above that number, your offer is accepted. FSA and NRCS staff can help you maximize your points.

Pros and Cons

  • Receive annual payments to offset the loss of income from removing cropland.
  • Unlike Continuous CRP, you have to sign up during a batching period.
  • Must submit competetive application.
  • CRP is a Farm Bill program and the next Farm Bill is still under negotiation.
  • General CRP is not intended to be grazed. Those interested in grazing should look at Grassland CRP


Rates:

You must submit a competetive bid with a proposed rate. Rates are based on:
-Productivity of the soil
-85% of average county rental rates

Notes:

Lower bids can increase your score, improving likihood of acceptance. USDA staff can help determine an ideal rate for applications.

Helpful Links

Program Website

CONTACT IAWA Find Conservation Agronomist Conservation Compass home

Stacks well with:

Always check with program rep before signing up for multiple programs. Learn more about stacking here.

Practical Farmers of Iowa Prairie Incentive

The PFI Habitat Incentives program helps producers reduce erosion and nutrient loss while attracting pollinators. PFI’s program is unique because they can help you combine their habitat program with the USDA’s CRP incentives.


Learn more

Practical Farmers of Iowa Precision Conservation Analysis

This program will provide a free analysis of your field’s profitability to see if it makes financial sense to take unprofitable acres out of production. If you choose to take recommended acres out of production, you receive a payment for the row crop acres that remain.


Learn more

Looking for help?
Search our Agronomist Directory.

AGRONOMIST DIRECTORY