USDA and State of Ohio Continue Conservation Successes with the Ohio Lake Erie CREP and Scioto River Watershed CREP

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Ohio are continuing a partnership through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to assist Ohio farmers, and agricultural landowners in improving water quality and conserving other natural resources.    

“These enhanced CREP Agreements include various incentives that we hope will encourage producers to signup and take advantage of this very beneficial conservation opportunity,” said Dr. John Patterson, FSA State Executive Director in Ohio. “Practices available include grass or tree plantings and wetland restoration to make a positive impact on the landscape and farming operations throughout Ohio.”

The Ohio Lake Erie CREP and Scioto River Watershed CREP, offered by USDA, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), expand the voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs available to Ohio agricultural producers and focuses on the Lake Erie and Scioto River watersheds. Enrollment for the Ohio CREP opportunities opened on December 1, 2022.

“At NRCS, we believe in locally led conservation,” said Ohio NRCS State Conservationist John Wilson. “By working with our state and federal partners through programs such as CREP, we are able to offer technical assistance to producers and landowners to ensure the sustainability of Ohio’s agriculture and protection of the state’s natural resources.”

Through these two agreements, federal and state resources are made available to program participants to voluntarily enroll in 14-to-15-year contracts. Participants remove cropland and marginal pastureland from agricultural production and convert the land to grasses, trees, or other approved vegetation. This will improve water quality by reducing sediment, nutrients, nitrogen, and other pollutants from entering streams and rivers, and enhance wildlife habitat in the project area. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance.

“The Lake Erie and Scioto River Watershed CREP unites the conservation efforts of landowners and farmers with the partnership and expertise from USDA, the State of Ohio, Pheasants Forever and many local organizations,” Patterson said.

Eligible farmers and landowners can qualify for annual rental payments, a 50 percent cost share for installing the approved conservation practices, and incentive payments for certain practices. In addition, the State of Ohio will provide eligible participants with a one-time incentive payment following practice completion. State incentive payment amounts will vary based on the practice enrolled or reenrolled.

The Ohio Lake Erie CREP includes all or portions of the following 27 counties: Allen, Ashland, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Lorain, Marion, Medina, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot Counties.

The Ohio Scioto River Watershed CREP includes all or portions of the following 31 counties along 231 miles of the Scioto River and 3,000 miles of its tributaries: Adams, Allen, Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hardin, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Union, Vinton, and Wyandot Counties.

Interested farmers, and agricultural landowners are encouraged to contact FSA at their local USDA FSA County office to learn more about CREP enrollment requirements and benefits or to participate.  Find contact information at www.fsa.usda.gov/oh.