FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Eric Deeble, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
press@sustainableagriculture.net

 COMMENT: NSAC Commends Expansion and Enhancement of Conservation Reserve Program

Higher payment rates, new incentives, and a greater focus on climate change mitigation better support farmers and ranchers

Washington, DC, April 21, 2021 – In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement on the changes made to the Conservation Reserve Program, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment: 

“The Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP), including its Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) initiative, represent the most cost effective and beneficial enrollments in the program. The reversal of the previous Administration’s reduction in the CCRP Practice Incentive Payments and rental rate bonus, together with the new climate smart practice incentive, will put the CCRP and CLEAR back on track, sending a clear signal to farmers that enrollments of high payoff practices like riparian buffers, prairie strips, and grass waterways will be worth their while.  This is very welcome news for Earth Day and NSAC applauds Secretary Vilsack for moving quickly to reverse the tide,” said Eric Deeble, Policy Director at NSAC.

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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more: https://sustainableagriculture.net/