USDA Accepts 2,273 Acres in Virginia Through 2026 Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment to Benefit Natural Resources, Ag Operations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 2,273 acres in Virginia into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive payments for their conservation efforts while benefiting their agricultural operations and protecting the nation’s natural resources.

Producers and landowners submitted offers on nearly 2,500 acres in Virginia. Accepted acres include participation through General CRP, Grassland CRP, and Continuous CRP initiatives that support soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and long-term conservation on working lands.  

Of the nearly 2,824 acres in Virginia set to expire on Sept. 30, producers submitted re-enrollment offers for approximately 1,641 acres. Additionally, producers submitted offers to enroll 673 acres of new land in Virginia. Counties with the highest accepted acreage include Montgomery, Augusta, and Highland.  

USDA’s CRP is one of the nation’s largest voluntary conservation programs, helping agricultural producers protect sensitive land while strengthening rural communities and supporting long-term sustainability.  

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Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. Originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production, the program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits to farmers, ranchers, and landowners across the country.  

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Wayne Creed

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