Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up 49 began Dec. 1 and runs through Feb. 26. CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land.

Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and enhance wildlife habitat.

Producers that are accepted in the sign-up can receive cost-share assistance to plant long-term, resource-conserving covers and receive an annual rental payment for the length of the contract (10-15 years).

Producers also are encouraged to look into CRP’s other enrollment opportunities offered on a continuous, non-competitive, sign-up basis and that often provide additional financial assistance.

If interested in offering land into the Conservation Reserve Program, please contact the office — at (434) 542-5121, ext. 2 — to schedule an appointment.