By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 70,000 acres in Minnesota through the 2026 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment. The program helps agricultural producers and landowners protect natural resources while supporting long-term farm sustainability.
Through the Conservation Reserve Program, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides incentive payments to farmers and landowners who take part in conservation activities. These efforts help improve soil health, protect water quality, create wildlife habitat, and maintain healthy agricultural landscapes.
“The Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate the strength of voluntary, producer-led conservation across the country,” said Kurt Blomgren, FSA State Executive Director in Minnesota. “The success of the 2026 enrollment period reflects USDA’s Farmers First commitment and the dedication of America’s farmers and ranchers to protecting our natural resources.”
Minnesota producers and landowners submitted offers for nearly 72,000 acres during the enrollment period. The accepted acres include land enrolled through three major CRP options: General CRP, Grassland CRP, and Continuous CRP. Each program supports different conservation goals while allowing farmers to manage their land responsibly.
A portion of the accepted acreage comes from existing CRP contracts that are reaching expiration. Of the nearly 82,000 acres in Minnesota scheduled to expire on September 30, producers submitted renewal offers for about 55,000 acres. In addition, farmers offered approximately 16,650 new acres for enrollment.
Counties with the highest accepted CRP acreage include Marshall, Kittson, and Polk. These areas will benefit from continued conservation practices that protect farmland and natural resources.
The Conservation Reserve Program is one of the country’s largest voluntary conservation programs. It encourages farmers to protect environmentally sensitive land while supporting rural communities and improving the future of agriculture.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy