The Natural Resources Analysis Group (NRA), Economic Policy and Analysis Staff, serves the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and USDA as the primary analytical resource for the analysis of economic issues related to existing and proposed natural resource policies and programs, particularly the following:
- The Conservation Reserve Program
- The CRP includes the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
- Farmable Wetlands Program
- CRP Grasslands
Click on the links below for more information on NRA products.
National and Regional Environmental Benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program Annual Summaries
By protecting fragile and environmentally sensitive lands the CRP provides substantial conservation benefits by protecting highly erodible soils, improving water quality, enhancing wildlife populations, providing pollinator forage habitat, and sequestering carbon in soil and enhancing soil productivity. These benefits are estimated annually for the United States and 4 important geographic regions.
Conservation Reserve Program Statistics
Emergency Conservation Program Statistics Reports: helps farmers and ranchers to repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and to help put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought.
Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments: documents required for public projects using federal funds. They exist to ensure that decision makers consider the effects a project might have on natural and cultural resources.
CRP Monitoring, Assessment and Evaluation (MAE) Projects Reports and Articles
The Farm Service Agency works with partners to identify Monitoring, Assessment and Evaluation (MAE) projects to quantify CRP environmental benefits to water quality and quantity, wildlife, and rural economies.
In October 2012, FSA in conjunction with our partners, began hosting a series of webinars introducing important questions about how CRP and CRP practices effect environmental benefits and providing the results of studies monitoring and assessing the CRP and CRP practices. Past webinars are recorded and are available for viewing at the links below. Upcoming webinars are posted as they are scheduled.