USDA Now Accepting Offers for Conservation Reserve Program Playa Wetlands Project

MANHATTAN, Kansas, December 13 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for a special Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup for agricultural producers and landowners who want to establish wildlife habitat on playa wetlands. Signup for Kansas Conservation Reserve Program Migratory Birds, Butterflies, and Pollinators State Acres For Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project will be ongoing starting December 13, 2021.

Submit Applications by February, 18th 2022 for Consideration in First Round

Playas are shallow depressions that often fill with water after spring rainstorms, providing habitat for migratory birds and recharging the underlying aquifer. This signup is part of a broader USDA effort to restore wetlands, mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

“Vibrant and healthy wetlands provide tremendous benefits, from sequestering carbon to recharging groundwater,” said Charles Pettijohn, acting State Executive Director with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “The Biden-Harris Administration has called for a whole-of-government approach to combating the climate crisis, and this unique SAFE project is one example.”

The project is only available on eligible land within these counties in Kansas.

This SAFE project is a great example of how producers can benefit through voluntary efforts that provide environmental benefits. This project uses a competitive bid process. Landowners and producers submit an offer to enroll their playa acres into the program for an amount they are willing to accept as an annual payment. Contracts are for periods of 10-15 years. The minimum enrollment per offer is two acres, and the maximum enrollment per offer is 160 acres.

Landowners who are interested in learning more about the CRP Migratory Bird SAFE project are encouraged to call the County FSA office. To find your nearest Service Center, visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.