On The Map 2

Geographic distribution of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is stable

Today, nearly 35 million acres of environmentally sensitive cropland are enrolled in the CRP. Although the total acreage enrolled in the CRP hasn't changed much since 1990, the actual land enrolled has. Nearly half of CRP acres enrolled between 1986-1992 have been replaced by new enrollments. Despite this turnover, the regional distribution of CRP acres has been stable. Within regions, however, changes are more substantial, with the Northern Great Plains showing the greatest shifts. These shifts may be due to changes in bid selection procedures; all contracts accepted after 1996 were ranked using a selection index that considers both cost and environmental benefits.