The General Conservation Reserve Program is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The program cost-shares tree planting and grass establishment on highly erodible land and pays landowners an annual rental payment for up to 15 years. Although the date of the next general CRP sign-up is uncertain; there is also a continuous sign-up for highly sensitive environmental areas such as riparian areas adjacent to streams and creek, bottomland areas, and living snowfences. For more information contact your county FSA office. If you have questions regarding tree planting contact your District Forester.

Under the general CRP sign-up landowners can receive around $100 per acre land rental rate and 50% cost-share reimbursement for installation of the CRP practice. The CRP bid process is a highly competitive process that utilizes an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) to score your bid offer. There are several ways to improve your offer the best ways are to:

• Plant Trees - Trees provide additional EBI points because they remain a vital and integral part of the landscape long after the expiration of the CRP contract. Trees also provide the most efficient long term method of locking up atmospheric carbon. Tree plantings are eligible for 15 years of land rental payments. They may also be eligible for a ten year re-enrollment in CRP under the existing tree practice (CP11) following the expiration of the original CRP contract.
  
  
• Plant Good Habitat - A mix of either trees or grasses that provides maximum benefits to wildlife in your area will maximize your offer. Assistance with species selection and planning for tree plantings is provided by IDNR Foresters.
  
  
• Plant the Steepest Slopes and Most Erodible Soils - Some CRP offers may be enhanced by dividing fields and excluding flatter less erodible soil from your bid offer. Work with your county FSA office to determine if this option would improve your chances to get into the program.

Hardwood tree planting provides you with the most EBI points of all CRP practices. Plant trees to maximize your chances of successfully enrolling in the Conservation Reserve Program.