NGFA: Conservation Reserve Program Should Target Environmentally Sensitive Portions of Farms

Arlington, VA — NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert made the following statement regarding USDA’s announcement to expand Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage with an emphasis on climate-smart solutions:

"NGFA looks forward to working with Congress and the Biden administration on promoting working lands conservation programs as climate-smart solutions that keep U.S. agriculture competitive.

The NGFA believes CRP should be targeted at the most environmentally sensitive portions of farms, and avoid enrollment of whole farms or large tracts of productive farmland.

Programs that drastically increase acreage idling in the United States send market signals to competitors to plant more acres, resulting in negative climate and environmental impacts.

We look forward to hearing additional details from USDA and working with the department to ensure this acreage is targeted for the most substantial environmental benefits while preserving U.S. agricultural productivity and competitiveness."

To read about the USDA plan, click here.