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Applications for Grassland Reserve Program funds due July 1Nebraska Nebraska landowners wishing to maintain grazing land in grass, including range and pasture land, can apply for funds through the Grassland Reserve Program by July 1 at any U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center according to a USDA official. "Applying for GRP is continuous however, ranking dates are established to evaluate and select applications for funding," said Steve Chick, State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. GRP is implemented jointly by the NRCS and the USDA Farm Service Agency. Landowners can start their applications at either USDA office. The goal of the program is to protect and/or restore existing grasslands for working grazing operations and enhancement of plant and wildlife diversity. Landowners maintain ownership and can either sign a minimum of 10, but can also chose a 15 or 20 year rental agreement, or a permanent conservation easement which will perpetually keep the land in grass. FSA establishes rental rates for all counties at 75 percent of the grazing value. Easements are a one time payment with the amount determined by the lowest of either an appraisal, area market survey, geographic rate cap established by USDA, or a landowner's offer. All easement calculations will deduct for grazing value of the land. Participation will require a grazing management plan for the land. Priority enrollment in GRP is being given to land previously in the Conservation Reserve Program if there is a significant threat of conversion to uses other than grazing. Only 10 percent of the GRP can come from expiring CRP acres in any year. Producers with expiring CRP acres can enroll in GRP up to 12 months before the CRP contract expires. Priority enrollment is limited to the easement or 20-year rental contract. USDA has set a payment cap of $50,000 annually per person or legal entity for rental contracts. Land that may need restoration work will receive 50 percent cost-share with the same $50,000 payment limit. Nebraska has $1 million in GRP funds available. There is not a minimum acre limit or maximum acre limit. This program has not been offered since 2005 when the acreage limits for the program were reached. The 2008 Farm Bill has authorized another 1.2 million acres to be enrolled through 2012. "Based on previous years, we expect a lot of applicants for the funds," said Chick. Applications or information about the program is available at any USDA Service Center.
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