1. Cropland that was planted to agricultural commodities 4 of 6 years between 1996 and 2002
2. In the 100 year flood plain of a perennial river or stream

When can I sign-up?
Sign-up is ongoing so you can sign up any time during normal business hours. Offers for the continuous CRP are automatically accepted if your land qualifies.

Where do I sign up?
You can sign-up at your county FSA office. It is a good idea to call in advance for an appointment to avoid a long wait or a wasted trip. If you want some help determining if you are eligible for the program before talking with FSA, a trip to your county NRCS office or a visit from your District Forester would be a good idea.

What are the financial incentives?
If you plant hardwood trees and shrubs you will be reimbursed 50% of your total costs not to exceed $300 per acre by the Farm Service Agency. You will be reimbursed 25% of your total costs plus a $100 per acre sign-up bonus from the Iowa Division of Soil Conservation. You will be able to sign up your eligible land for 15 years and receive an annual rental payment on that property of somwhere between $90 and $180 per acre. Following contract expiration the land can be enrolled in the forest reserve program, which eliminates taxes on the property. You or your heirs can count on harvesting between $4,500 to $6,000 dollars per acre of timber per acre in roughly 50 years. This means that planting 20 acres in bottomland hardwoods would generate an income of between $117,000 to $156,000 (assuming 0% inflation and a 0% real price increase in lumber, historically timber stumpage prices have risen 2% above the inflation rate). This means that at the same time you are working to improve water quality, prevent erosion, and providing wildlife habitat, you are also providing a future source of revenue for yourself or your children.

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