USDA Accepts 2.2 Million Acres into Conservation Reserve Program for 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the acceptance of 2.2 million acres into its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. This enrollment includes General, Continuous, and Grassland CRP programs, designed to enhance agriculture, wildlife habitats, hunting opportunities, and rural communities. According to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), producers and landowners submitted offers for nearly 2.5 million acres during the CRP sign-ups. However, due to a program cap of 27 million acres for fiscal year 2026, only 2.2 million acres were available for enrollment, leading to a highly competitive selection process. The states with the highest accepted CRP acreage include Nebraska, Colorado, and South Dakota. The CRP, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, is recognized as one of the most successful voluntary private lands conservation programs in the United States. 
