Joint announcement of the USDA Oregon Farm Service Agency and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Todd Peplin, NRCS Farm Bill Specialist, (541) 923-4358 ext 131, Todd.Peplin@or.usda.gov 
Lois Loop, Oregon FSA Program Specialist, (503) 692-3688 X 223, lois.loop@or.usda.gov

USDA 2011 Grassland Reserve Program
Sign-up Extended Until May 13, 2011

PORTLAND, Ore., April 14, 2011— The deadline for landowners in Western Oregon to sign-up for the 2011 Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) has been extended to May 13, 2011. GRP is a voluntary program designed to help landowners and land managers protect and preserve grasslands by conserving and restoring resources on eligible private lands through rental contracts and easements.

GRP is available in Oregon for working grazing lands and lands under expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts. GRP funding for this sign-up focuses on actively-grazed oak savannah areas west of the Cascades in addition, to other types of habitats conducive to Fender’s blue butterfly. Private landowners in all Western Oregon counties are eligible for the program. Counties that will be given priority consideration are: Clackamas, Polk, Marion, Benton, Linn, Lane, Yamhill and Washington counties.

Landowners or land managers that wish to enroll in GRP may enter into rental agreements that prevent conversion of the land to uses other than grazing for the life of the contract in exchange for program payments. GRP participants retain ownership and the right to use the land for grazing and other compatible uses.

The program aims to conserve grassland resources, promote agricultural stability, prevent conversion to other land uses, improve biodiversity and habitat, and protect Oregon’s scenic landscapes.

Administration of GRP is a coordinated effort between the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Landowners or operators who manage their grasslands, have an active grazing operation, and who want to maintain and prevent their land from future conversion from uses other than grazing may apply for GRP at their local USDA Service Center.

For application materials and more information, visit the NRCS Web site at:
http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/grp/index.html

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