2009 Grassland Reserve Program Signup Open Until June 1st

Nashville, TN — Tennesseans who own grazing lands are encouraged to consider signing up for the USDA’s Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). GRP assists landowners by protecting grazing lands through the conservation of grassland resources on eligible private lands. Over $900,000 in GRP funds are available in fiscal year 2009. GRP is administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

State Conservationist Kevin Brown, who leads NRCS in Tennessee, says state grazing lands have been disappearing as TN experiences an increase in residential and commercial development. “Our priority for GRP at the state level is to protect grazing lands that face significant threats of being converted to non-agricultural uses,” Brown said. “We are especially interested in protecting grazing land sites that have cultural or historical importance, such as Civil War Battlefields.”

Applicants have two enrollment options: easement or rental contract. Easements will be for a permanent duration, whereas rental contracts will be for 10, 15, or 20-year lengths. Landowners must submit applications on or before June 1, 2009 to receive consideration for funding in FY 2009. Rental contracts will be taken from across Tennessee, but easements will come primarily from High Priority counties.

High Priority counties meet two important criteria: They have a population growth greater than 8.2% and a decrease in farm land greater than 13.9%. According to 2007 Ag Census and U.S. Census Bureau data collected between 2002-2007, Tennessee’s High Priority counties included Davidson, Fayette, Hamilton, Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby, Williamson, and Wilson.

Eligible land includes:

• Grassland for which grazing is the predominant use, or
• Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage expiring in 2009 (eligible ONLY for easement or 20-year rental contracts)

For rental contracts, participants must own the eligible acreage or have control of the eligible acreage for the life of the contract and meet the requirements set forth by the USDA. At this time, GRP rental rates have not been released, but significant changes to the previous rates are NOT expected. A grazing management plan will be needed prior to contracting for both easement and rental contracts.

To learn more about the GRP signup, visit your nearest USDA Service Center or go to the NRCS in Tennessee website at http://www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov and look under Programs. NRCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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