USDA updates CREP to attract partners

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced changes in its Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program as a way to draw in more partners. Originally known as the Conservation Reserve Program, the USDA overhauled the program last spring to drive participation and interest, creating CREP.

CREP, the country’s largest private-land conservation program, currently has 34 projects in 26 states, and more than 860,000 acres are enrolled in CREP.

The goal is to grow CREP, as it is one of the most flexible tools available for locally driven, partner-led efforts to reward producers and drive important environmental and climate outcomes, a news release says.

CREP’s policy was updated to increase flexibility for partners. Partners can now negotiate how they provide their matching requirements between cash, in-kind, technical assistance or a combination of all three.

The program also added capacity to its team to extend outreach and support to current and potential partners. Three new CREP staff members were hired and will each have a specific region of focus. Evelyn Whitesides will serve as a CREP regional specialist for the east region, Kim Martin for the central region and Patrick Lewis for the west region. Potential partners are encouraged to reach out to these new specialists to find out if CREP matches their conservation goals.

The program is also being opened to new types of partners. CREP will extend to governmental partners, states and tribes. The 2018 Farm Bill allowed CREP to also work with a more diverse group of partners, like nonprofits and private entities who want to implement conservation and work toward lands conservation.