The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accepted more than 106,000 acres in Texas into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026.<\/p>\n
Through CRP, USDA\u2019s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers farmers, ranchers and landowners incentive payments for their conservation efforts while benefiting their agricultural operations and protecting the nation\u2019s natural resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate the strength of voluntary, producer-led conservation across the country,\u201d said Dan Hunter, FSA state executive director in Texas. \u201cThe success of the 2026 enrollment period reflects USDA\u2019s Farmers First commitment and the dedication of America\u2019s farmers and ranchers to protecting our natural resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
Farmers, ranchers and landowners submitted offers on nearly 115,000 acres in Texas. Accepted acres include participation through General CRP, Grassland CRP and Continuous CRP initiatives that support soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat and long-term conservation on working lands.<\/p>\n
Of the nearly 88,000 acres in Texas set to expire on Sept. 30, producers submitted re-enrollment offers for about 62,000 acres in Texas. Farmers, ranchers and landowners also submitted offers to enroll more than 53,000 acres of new land in Texas.<\/p>\n
Counties with the highest accepted acreage include Bailey, Sherman and Andrews.<\/p>\n
USDA accepted 2.2 million acres nationwide into the program.<\/p>\n
Nebraska, Colorado and South Dakota hold the top three slots for accepted acres for all 2026 CRP enrollment opportunities.<\/p>\n
About CRP\u00a0
By enrolling in CRP, farmers, ranchers and landowners receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative covers. CRP helps reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and increase wildlife habitat and contributes to the overall health of ecosystems.<\/p>\n
Annual rental payments also provide a steady income stream for participants, helping to stabilize farm income. Grassland CRP is a working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grasslands while also continuing most grazing and haying practices.<\/p>\n
More information
Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. Originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production, the program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits to farmers, ranchers and landowners across the country.<\/p>\n