Sign-up under way for ag land set-asides

WOOD COUNTY – Farmers and other private landowners who set aside from production agricultural land along streams, lakes and wetlands are encouraged to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, or CREP.

The federally funded land management program helps reduce landowners’ financial risk by mitigating issues such as nutrient loss and crop damage from frequent flooding on their marginal agricultural lands, said officials with Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

The program offers two options: 15-year agreements and perpetual easements. Those in 15-year agreements receive upfront and annual rental payments with the ability to re-enroll when their contract expires. Land enrolled in perpetual easements receive a higher upfront payment in addition to annual payments, with potential for selective land use activities to be allowed for 15 years. There is no minimum acreage enrollment requirement for either option.

In 2024, an estimated total of 78,000 pounds of phosphorous, 42,000 pounds of nitrogen and 39,000 pounds of sediment runoff were reduced from Wisconsin waters because of the 700 miles of stream and shoreline buffered by CREP. This contributed to the overall environmental health of the state and allows producers to improve the land, water and wildlife habitat quality on their property.

Since the program’s inception in 2001, the state has contributed a total of $22.3 million to landowners in cost-share and incentive payments.

The Wisconsin CREP project area consists of all or part of 53 Wisconsin counties, including Wood and Clark counties. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until June 6 or until the acreage cap is met. 

Additional information about eligibility and enrollment can be found on DATCP’s website, https://datcp.wi.gov/. To apply, contact your county land conservation department or local Farm Service Agency office.