The Conservation Reserve Program and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program help Virginia farmers and landowners by protecting and restoring natural resources, enhancing the rural landscape, and providing substantial economic benefits for participants.

Currently, more than 50,000 acres in the state are enrolled in the program; but on Sept. 30, more than 8,000 acres that are already enrolled in CRP/CREP are scheduled to expire. CRP and CREP participants who have contracts expiring on Sept. 30, may now offer to re-enroll or extend their contracts.

Producers with expiring continuous CRP and CREP contracts can re-enroll all or a portion of their land back into the program for another 10-15 year contract term. Re-enrolling an expiring CREP contract will allow participants to continue receiving annual rental payments, often at a higher rate than the original contract.

Also, producers with eligible expiring General CRP contracts are able to extend their contract for one year.

Then, FSA will begin to accept new offers to participate in CRP under a general signup to be held Dec. 1, 2015, through Feb. 26, 2016.

The deadline to submit an offer for continuous CRP/CREP re-enrollment was Aug. 1. General CRP extensions may be requested through Aug. 28. Any re-enrolled contract must be approved prior to Sept. 30, 2015 and become effective on Oct. 1. Visit your local FSA office soon and allow the FSA staff to help you determine your options.