(COLLEGE STATION, TX), March 30, 2012 —Farm Service Agency Texas Acting Executive Director James B. Douglass today reminded landowners, farmers and ranchers in Texas that the opportunity to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up 43 ends on Friday, April 6. Producers who want to offer eligible land for CRP's competitive general sign-up may enroll at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office where their farm records are maintained.

“I strongly encourage all interested producers to contact the county office before the April 6 end of CRP signup deadline,” said Douglass. “Any offer that is not submitted by this April 6 deadline will not be considered for acceptance during the 43rd signup for CRP.”

CRP is a voluntary program that assists farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to protect their environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolling eligible land in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers in exchange for rental payments, cost-share and technical assistance.

“So far, the 43rd signup for CRP has been very successful and we anticipate landowner interest in the program to continue throughout the signup period,” said Douglass. “I can’t stress enough the need to act now rather than wait until the deadline date so that our staff can provide the much-deserved individual attention to all producers interested in the CRP program.”

As of February 2012, Texas has approximately 3,360,870 acres enrolled in CRP. On Sept. 30, 2012, approximately 826,863 CRP contract acres will expire in the state. Producers may choose to re-enroll their land or sign up for new acres that qualify for the program. Contracts range from 10-15 years. The competitive selection is based on factors such as land that erodes easily or where habitat for rare or game wildlife can be assured.

Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA service center or visit FSA’s website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp for additional information regarding CRP.