Conservation Reserve Program Changes For Katrina

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has just announced that Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants may be allowed to remove trees that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina without penalty. Mississippi FSA offices will work with CRP participants and the Mississippi Forestry Commission to determine the amount of salvage appropriate for each area.

There will also be some assistance available to re-establish CRP cover. Some existing contracts may be eligible for re-enrollment or extensions. The notification of re-enrollment and extension opportunities is scheduled to be made later this year.

CRP participants that have trees damaged or destroyed due to Hurricane Katrina that do not want to continue with the CRP contract may be allowed to terminate the CRP-1 without refunds or liquidated damages.

The effective date of the termination would be September 30, 2005, and the CRP participants would be eligible for the annual rental payment scheduled to be made in October 2005 provided the payment is otherwise eligible to be made. Termination of CRP contracts will preclude any re-enrollment or extension opportunity.

CRP participants need to contact their local Farm Service Agency office for details.