ST. PAUL, Minn. – Nov. 25, 2014 — U.S. Department of
Agriculture Minnesota Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Debra
Crusoe, today announced that 8,300 acres in Minnesota are now available for
wildlife habitat improvement incentives.
“We can accept more applications to enroll more acres in
Minnesota for farmers and ranchers interested in protecting local pheasant and
prairie chicken habitat,” said Crusoe. “In exchange for creating more grassland
for these rural species, USDA will provide participating landowners with rental
payments and help with expenses.”
This opportunity comes from the State Acres for Wildlife
Enhancement (SAFE) program, part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
whereby Farm Service Agency contracts with landowners so that environmentally
sensitive land is not farmed or ranched, but instead used for conservation.
Program participants establish long-term plant species to
control soil erosion, improve water quality, or strengthen declining wildlife
populations. In return, participants receive annual rental payments between 10
and 15 years.
The SAFE program allows state fish and wildlife agencies,
non-profit organizations and other conservation partners to target the
Conservation Reserve Program within distinct geographic areas to help wildlife.
SAFE is limited to 1.35 million acres nationally, with 97 projects in 36 states
and Puerto Rico.
Interested landowners can enroll acres in a designated
wildlife project in their state at any time. Participants and land must meet
certain eligibility requirements. Other restrictions may apply. For additional
details, contact your local Farm Service Agency office at offices.usda.gov
or visit the website at www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation.
