DATCP is reminding agricultural producers and private landowners to apply for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The three-week enrollment period opened May 12. The applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis until June 6, 2025.
About The Program
CREP is a state and federally funded land management option for landowners and producers needing to set aside agricultural land located along streams, lakes, and wetlands from production. By enrolling in CREP, landowners benefit from the financial incentive and flexible nature of the program. They also have reduced financial risk by mitigating issues such as nutrient loss and crop damage from frequent flooding.
The program offers two different conservation practice 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 significantly higher upfront payment in addition to annual payments. They also have potential for selective land use activities to be allowed for 15 years. Additionally, there is no minimum acreage enrollment requirement. This gives landowners the ability to implement conservation practices and maintain the agricultural property tax benefits on these enrolled portions while keeping the rest in production.
Effect On Wisconsin
In 2024, an estimated total of 78,000 lbs. of phosphorous, 42,000 lbs. of nitrogen, and 39,000 lbs. of sediment runoff were reduced from Wisconsin waters. This is 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. Doing so in cost-share and incentive payments.
The Wisconsin CREP project area consists of all or part of 53 Wisconsin counties. Lands within these areas are eligible for enrollment if they were actively cropped or grazed for four out of the six years prior to 2019. They must also be within 150 feet of an eligible waterbody. Or within 1,000 feet for the Northern and Southern Grassland project areas.
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