USDA Approves 70,000 Acres for Minnesota CRP in 2026

By Scout Nelson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved more than 70,000 acres in Minnesota for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. The program provides financial incentives to farmers and landowners who adopt conservation practices that protect natural resources and support sustainable agriculture.

Minnesota producers submitted enrollment offers covering nearly 72,000 acres, with accepted land entering the program through General CRP, Grassland CRP, and Continuous CRP. These initiatives focus on improving soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and overall land stewardship.

A large share of the accepted acreage comes from existing CRP participants. Of the nearly 82,000 acres scheduled to expire in Minnesota on September 30, producers applied to re-enroll about 55,000 acres.

In addition, applications were submitted to enroll 16,650 acres of new land into the program. The highest number of accepted acres came from Marshall, Kittson, and Polk counties.

CRP remains one of the largest voluntary conservation programs in the United States. It helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land while supporting rural communities and long-term sustainability efforts.

Established in 1985, the Conservation Reserve Program was originally designed to reduce soil erosion and remove highly erodible land from production. Over the years, it has evolved into a broader conservation initiative that delivers environmental and economic benefits to farmers, ranchers, and landowners nationwide.

Photo Credit: usda.jpg