Pennsylvania Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
What is CREP?
The Conservation Reserve
Enhancement Program (CREP) is a
federal/state partnership with a goal
of enrolling 100,000 acres of highly
credible cropland and pasture in
conservation plantings to improve
water quality and provide improved
wildlife and fisheries habitat.
CREF is sponsored by the following partnership:
USDA Farm Service Agency State Conservation Commission
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Ducks Unlimited
Pennsylvania Dept, of Agriculture Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Pennsylvania Dept, of Environmental Protection Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Game Commission Pheasants Forever
Pennsylvania Dept, of Conservation & Natural Resources Governor's Sportsman Advisory Council
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Pennsylvania Assoc, of Conservation Districts Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension
Benefits of CREF
• Reduced soil erosion
• Improved water quality
• Increase in farm income on
marginal land
• Improved wildlife and fisheries
habitat
• Improved herd health
What Land Is Eligible?
All cropland or marginal pasture
within 180 feet of a stream is eligible.
Highly credible cropland farther than
180 feet from a stream may also be
eligible.
What are my costs?
Just a willingness to get involved in
conservation. In addition to your
annual rental payment, USDA, the
Commonwealth of PA and Chesapeake
Bay Foundation/Ducks Unlimited will
reimburse up to 100% for a variety of
Conservation Practices (CPs).
How do I participate?
Simply contact the County FSA office listed below:
CREF County FSA office telei
Adams 717-334-4216
Bedford 814-623-5129
610-478-7158
Berks
Chester 610-696-8750
Columbia 570-784-4722
Cumberland 717-249-3924
Dauphin 717-921-2378
The Wildlife Society
Pennsylvania Chapter
Franklin 717-264-8074
Fulton 717-485-3231
Juniata 717-436-8953
Lancaster 717-397-6235
Lebanon 717-273-9321
Montour 570-784-4722
Northumberland
570-286-7114
THAT PAYS YOU!!
The PA Chapter of The Wildlife Society sponsored this ad with
funding from the Wildlife Society's Wildlife Information Network.
What Are My Obligations?
Farmers and landowners must agree
to establish and maintain grass,
shrubs or trees for the life of the
contract (10-15 years). No harvesting
is allowed except for emergency
purposes as declared by the Secretary
of Agriculture. Once cover is
established, no maintenance mowing
is permitted during the primary
nesting season of April 1 - July 15.
EXAMPLES OF PA CREP RENTAL RATES PLUS INCENTIVES
Average Rental Rates
County
Adams
Berks
Chester
Cumberland
Note: These are only the approximate average rental payments for CREP counties
in southeastern PA. Rental rates will vary for different soils types. Actual rental
rates are calculated by producer using the three predominate soil types for the
land offered.
•hone numbers
Perry 717-582-2525
Schuylkill 570-622-1555
Snyder 570-837-0007
Somerset 814-445-1922
Union 570-837-0007
717-755-2966
York
CONSERVATION
Average Rental Rates
$/acre/yr.
114
13 7
144
102
For Crep information in Southeast contact Bob Thomas,
PGC CREP outreach coordinator at 610-584-2065.
In addition to your annual rental payment, USDA,
the Commonwealth of PA and Chesapeake Bay
Foundation will reimburse you for up to 100% of
the costs of establishing CPs.
Eligible Practices Under CREP
Cool Season Grasses and Legumes (CPI)
Native Warm Season Grasses (CP2)
Hardwood Trees (CP3A)
Wildlife Habitat (CP4D)
Grassed Waterway (CPBA)
Shallow Water Area For Wildlife (CP9)
Wildlife Food Plots (ex. annual grains) (CPI 2)
Contour Grass Buffer Strips (CPISA)
Filter Strips Next To Streams (CP2I)
Forested Riparian Buffers Next to Streams (CP22)
Restored Wetlands (CP23)
County
Franklin
Lancaster
Lebanon
York
Additional incentive payments are available for
CP2, CPBa, CP9, CPIS, CP2I, CP22, CP23.
Will My Land Be Open
To Public Access?
You maintain control of your land
except for USDA access to inspect
for contract compliance.
$/acre/yr.
102
177
147
131
Sq C/ .
$
10'
201
5,
11
%