Landowners invited to sign up for CRP SAFE program

    In January 2008, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the new continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) conservation practice titled State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE), also known as CP38. The program is authorized to enroll and manage up to 500,000 acres nationwide.  The goal of the Maine At-Risk Grassland Species Habitat Restoration SAFE is to develop and/or maintain CRP habitat that will provide the nesting and brood rearing habitat necessary for grassland birds associated with the CRP field.
    Maine is one of 33 states selected to receive funding for CP38 in 2008. Local state and federal partners will assist NRCS with outreach and program delivery.
    To be eligible, a participant must have owned or operated the land for at least 12 months prior to submitting the offer, with certain exceptions evaluated by FSA on a case-by-case basis.
    Eligible land must be cropland that is planted or considered planted during four of the six crop years from 1996-2001, and physically and legally capable of being planted in a normal manner to an agricultural commodity, as determined by the County Committee.
    Marginal pastureland is not eligible. More details about eligibility criteria can be obtained from your local FSA office.
    Aroostook County and northern Penobscot County have been approved for 1,000 acres for CRP-SAFE and eligible land will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.
    FSA will start taking offers on May 5.
    Please contact your local Farm Service Agency office for more information (Presque Isle – 764-4151 x 2, Houlton – 532-9407 x 2, or Fort Kent – 834-3831 x 2).