The third application period for the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Areas Program (FNAP) opened July 25th. Dakota County is offering to increase CREP payments by providing an additional 50% above the standard CRP and RIM rate for landowners who place a perpetual easement on their CREP eligible land. Please refer to the following preapplication letter if you are an interested Dakota County landowner.

Dakota County fact sheet on:
Farmland and Natural Areas Program/Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program signup period has been announced. CREP II, administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Watershed Districts, uses federal and state resources through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Program to meet state-specific environmental objectives and to protect environmentally sensitive land.

The program will have a continuous sign-up, ending Dec. 31, 2007, or before the 120,000-acre enrollment goal is reached. Producers are encouraged to consider enrolling early because of the program’s short window of opportunity.

For more information, please see the Farm Service Agency information on CREP and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources information on CREP.