combines an existing Federal program, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), with State programs to provide a framework for USDA to work in partnership with State and local interests to meet state-specific environmental objectives. CRP is a CCC program implemented through the Farm Service Agency. Under CREP, the Lake Erie landowners and operators enter into 14 to 15-year contracts with CCC to convert cropland to native grasses, trees, and other conservation practices. In return, they receive annual rental payments, incentive payments for certain activities, and cost-share assistance to establish the conservation practices. CREP participants are eligible for five types of payments: annual rental payments, incentive payments, maintenance payments, cost-share assistance payments, and State one-time payments. Annual rental payments will be based on the soil rental rate. The first three of these will be combined into a consolidated annual CRP rental payment.

Mercer County is one of 14 counties in the Maumee River Watershed where farmers interested in incentives for implementing approved nutrient management practices can participate in the state’s H2Ohio initiative.  Eligible practices include soil testing, variable-rate fertilization, subsurface nutrient application, manure incorporation, conservation crop rotation, cover crops and drainage water management.

reauthorized in the Farm Bill to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals.  EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.

a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land.  Producers enrolled in CRP plant long term, resource conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat.