January 11, 2001

Certain Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants whose contracts expire on Sept. 30 will be able to extend their contracts for one year. Contract extensions will also provide an opportunity for USDA to review the ongoing effect of CRP on buffer areas and critical watersheds such as the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

The one-year contract extension option applies to CRP participants with contracts of original duration of fewer than 15 years that are scheduled to expire on Sept. 30. Under the Food Security Act of 1985, a CRP contract may not exceed 15 years. The extension will not change participants' rental rates. All or a portion of the acreage under contract may be included in an extension, but no new acreage may be added. Obligations existing under an original contract will continue to apply to contracts that are modified and extended.

Local offices of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) are notifying eligible CRP participants of their option to modify and extend their CRP contracts. Although no general signup opportunity is scheduled for fiscal year 2001, interested producers may continue to enroll relatively small, highly-desirable acreage such as filter strips and riparian buffers at any time at their local FSA office.