CREP Can Help You Protect Your Land For Future Generations

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Conserving water and soil resources helps to protect the land for our use now and for future generations. In fact, landowners often tell us the reason they request a conservation plan is to protect what is special about their land today, so that it will benefit their kids and grandkids once it is passed down. The connection between humans and the land is a strong one. Like Hugh Hammond Bennet, the Father of Soil Conservation once said, “Take care of the land, and the land will take care of you.”

The Shiawassee Conservation District offers free and confidential conservation planning assistance. Conservation planning offers many benefits, including learning what conservation programs you may be eligible to participate in. One of these programs is the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). CREP is part of USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). It offers enhanced financial incentives to landowners who agree to establish and maintain eligible conservation practices.

This grassland is planted to
warm season grasses and
wildflowers. It is improving
soil health, and providing habitat
for many species of wildlife
including pollinators.

The primary goals of CREP are to protect water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. Other environmental benefits include preventing soil erosion, increased oxygen levels, sequestering carbon, improved soil health, and increased wildlife diversity. The practices available through CREP include filter strips, field windbreaks, riparian buffers, wetland restorations, grassland plantings, and sediment control basins.
Michigan’s CREP is a partnership effort between the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Michigan Department of Ag and Rural Development and Conservation Districts. For more information on CREP and CRP please contact the Shiawassee County Farm Service Agency at (989) 723-8263 x2 or the Shiawassee Conservation District at (989) 723-8263 x3.

To be eligible for CREP, the land must be in one of the targeted watersheds. In Shiawassee County that watershed is the Saginaw Bay. The land must also have a cropping history of four out of six years between 2012-2017. 

We believe that voluntary conservation is key to a sustainable environment and better communities. We also believe that landowners and farmers want to do their part to protect the natural resources we all rely on. Even small changes to a cropping operation, such as planting a 50-foot-wide filter strip along a waterway, can make a huge difference in water quality and wildlife habitat. Healthy environments mean increased crop production, better recreation opportunities, and cleaner water.

Michigan’s CREP is a partnership effort between the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Michigan Department of Ag and Rural Development and Conservation Districts. For more information on CREP and CRP please contact the Shiawassee County Farm Service Agency at (989) 723-8263 x2 or the Shiawassee Conservation District at (989) 723-8263 x3.

This filter strip is planted between row crops
and a stream. It is filtering sediment and nutrients
from water runoff before it enters the surface
water-protecting water quality. It is planted
to a mix of timothy, orchardgrass, alfalfa and clover. 

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