Over 50 organizations urge the Senate to support CRP in the farm bill

For 40 years, the Conservation Reserve Program has delivered for farmers, ranchers, wildlife, and rural communities. It has restored and enhanced millions of acres of habitat, improved water quality and soil health, and provided forage for livestock, all while serving as a critical safety net for producers. 

Yet while other major conservation programs have received significant investments in recent years; CRP has not had any updates since 2018. As the Senate works on its version of the farm bill, now is the time to change that. 

That’s why Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever joined over 50 conservation, sporting, and outdoor recreation organizations to send a letter urging the Senate Agriculture Committee to invest in CRP in the next farm bill. The message is clear: CRP works, and it deserves the support necessary to remain effective for decades to come. 

We know that for pheasants, quail, and other wildlife that rely on habitat on private lands, CRP has been the most important program in modern conservation history. The habitat established through the program has provided countless benefits for wildlife across rural America. 

But this isn’t just about wildlife. CRP helps producers manage risk and generate on-farm income, serves as a source of emergency forage during times of drought, and supports local economies that depend on outdoor recreation and hunting traditions. The program also helps safeguard natural resources by reducing erosion, improving water quality, and keeping working lands productive for future generations. Few programs deliver such a wide range of benefits, which is why Congress cannot afford to leave CRP behind in this farm bill. 

To ensure CRP remains a strong and effective option for landowners, Congress needs to make targeted investments and updates to the program. This includes providing cost-share for management activities and grazing infrastructure on enrolled land, updating payment limits for the first time since 1985, and increasing rental rates for marginal and environmentally sensitive lands. Together, these improvements would ensure CRP remains a viable option for producers while continuing to deliver conservation and economic benefits across rural America.

Take Action for CRP

Senators need to hear directly from hunters, conservationists, farmers, ranchers, and anyone who values CRP. 

If CRP has had a positive impact on your community, your farm operation, or your hunting experiences, now is the time to speak up! Visit the Upland Action Center today to send a message to your senators and urge them to support meaningful investment in the Conservation Reserve Program.