The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Colorado are reinforcing their Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partnership, focusing on reducing water use, protecting water quality, and conserving vital natural resources. In addition, the partnership aims to empower Colorado’s agricultural producers and landowners further.
A major initiative under this partnership is the revised Colorado Republican River CREP project. Now available via USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, this initiative offers producers a dryland crop production practice for eligible cropland. The practice provides producers with practical tools to continue farming while transitioning towards permanently retiring water rights and conserving the Ogallala Aquifer for future generations.
The Colorado Republican River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is designed to tackle complex, intertwined challenges. It offers opportunities for producers to continue working on their lands while reducing water use and adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Through the revised Colorado Republican River CREP, the USDA and the State of Colorado will make resources available to program participants. Those who voluntarily enroll in the CRP for 14 to 15-year contracts will transition irrigated cropland to non-irrigated crop production, establishing complementary wildlife habitat in and around the cropland.
The dryland crop production practice is unique, allowing producers to maintain occupied lands while implementing conservation-focused agricultural practices. These include no-till farming, cover crop installation, and wildlife-friendly harvesting.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will collaborate with eligible producers to develop conservation plans. These plans will include an approved annual crop rotation, minimum crop residue requirements, and management practices that promote erosion mitigation and wildlife habitat.
Unlike continuous and general CRP enrollment, participants with land enrolled in the CP100 may earn additional income from crops harvested from this acreage.
Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, emphasized the positive impact of this agreement on conservation efforts in the basin. He stated, “This agreement will help Colorado continue to advance its conservation efforts leading the basin towards a sustainable future in agriculture.”
As the USDA and Colorado strengthen their partnership, the focus remains on empowering agricultural producers and landowners, reducing water consumption, protecting water quality, and conserving critical natural resources. This initiative will undoubtedly play a vital role in the state’s sustainable agricultural future.
Photo by Gabriel Tovar on Unsplash
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