Conservation Reserve Program enrollment in progress

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reminds farmers and ranchers that the general enrollment period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) began Dec. 1, and ends on Feb. 26, 2016. December 2015 also marks the 30th anniversary of CRP, a federally funded program that assists agricultural producers with the cost of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.

As of September 2015, 24.2 million acres were enrolled in CRP. CRP also is protecting more than 170,000 stream miles with riparian...