Slide 1

GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM (GRP)

Farm Security and RuralInvestment Act of 2002

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Slide 2

GRP - Purpose

• Assist landowners restore and conserve grassland, rangeland, and certain other lands, by protecting those grazing lands most at-risk from conversion.

Slide 3

GRP - General

• Awaiting interim rule release

• Administered jointly by the FSA and the NRCS

Slide 4

GRP - General

• No more than two million acres enrolled through 2007

• 2003 National allowance - $49.9 million

• 60 percent of funds for easements and 30 year agreements nationally

Slide 5

GRP - Prohibited Uses

• Production of crops, fruit trees, vineyards that require breaking the soil surface

• Any other activity that would disturb the surface of the land except appropriate identified land management activities

Slide 6

GRP – Reserved Activities

• Common grazing practices consistent with conservation plan

• Haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed production

• Fire rehabilitation and construction of firebreaks and fences

Slide 7

GRP – Enrollment Options

• Easements

– Permanent

– 30-Year

• Agreements

– 10, 15, 20, and 30-year

Slide 8

GRP – Payments

• Easements

- Permanent - fair market value less

grazing value

- 30-Year – 30 percent of fair market

value less grazing value

• Agreements

- Annual rental payments - not more that 75 percent of grazing value

Slide 9

GRP – Payments

• Restoration- In conjunction with easement or

agreement- Up to 90 percent on uncultivated- Up to 75 percent on restored

grasslands

Slide 10

GRP – Selecting Offers

• CCC shall emphasize:– Support for grazing operations– Plant and animal diversity– Greatest threat of conversion

Slide 11

Slide 12

Slide 13