USDA Issuing $1.8 Billion in Conservation Payments to Farmers, Landowners
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Thursday it is issuing approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program payments to farmers, ranchers and landowners participating in conservation programs in 2026.
The payments include funding through the traditional Conservation Reserve Program and Grassland CRP, which allows producers to conserve grasslands while continuing most grazing and haying activities.
USDA's Farm Service Agency accepted offers covering nearly 1 million new acres under Grassland CRP this year. The program provides rental payments and cost-share assistance to ranchers and landowners who maintain rangeland and pastureland for grazing.
Following the 2026 enrollment period, USDA expects Grassland CRP to account for more than 40% of all acreage enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program.
“As we continue to work to rebuild the American cattle herd, today’s announcement will help continue this effort by protecting nearly one million acres of grazing land for our ranchers,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said.
Rollins said the administration believes the program can help encourage growth in the cattle industry while preserving natural resources.
CRP provides annual rental payments to eligible producers and private landowners who establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative cover on their property. USDA says the program is designed to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and increase wildlife habitat.
Grassland CRP differs from traditional CRP by emphasizing conservation on working agricultural lands. Participants can generally continue grazing and haying while maintaining grassland and other conservation benefits.
“These conservation payments play a key role in helping landowners preserve and protect natural resources, while also promoting working lands conservation,” Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce said.
USDA said the annual rental payments also provide participating producers with a steady source of income that can help stabilize farm operations.
For fiscal year 2027, USDA expects approximately 26.8 million acres nationwide to be enrolled in CRP. That total follows the Farm Service Agency's acceptance of offers covering 2.2 million acres through Grassland, General and Continuous CRP signups conducted in 2026.
Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota and Missouri rank as the five states receiving the largest amounts of CRP payments for 2026.