Why Choose CRP? You Benefit. Land, Water and Wildlife Benefit. 

Softwood tree plantings benefit soil and water quality, while also providing farmers and landowners with an 

investment income from timber. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides farmers and landowners 

with practices like this to achieve many farming and conservation goals. Whatever the conservation challenge – soil 

conservation, water quality protection or wildlife habitat enhancement – CRP is a proven land performance and 

management solution.

Why Tree Plantings?

Landowners and farmers that incorporate a stand 

of trees on their land can increase its value while 

improving the overall environment. Introducing 

softwoods including longleaf pine create healthier 

wildlife habitats, reduce soil erosion, improve 

water quality and capture carbon. Some trees also 

work to provide economic value – from timber or 

wood fiber – after the practice contract expires. 

Offered in general sign-up (unless in a wellhead 

protection area when it is eligible for continuous 

sign-up), CP-3:

• Reduces erosion protecting soil productivity

• Improves water quality

• Promotes carbon sequestration

• Produces timber providing investment income

Farm Service Agency USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Financial Benefits

CP-3 participants are guaranteed:

• 10 years of annual rental payments

• 10% Rental Rate Incentive if enrolled in a wellhead 

protection area

• Payments covering up to 90% of the eligible costs 

of establishing the tree planting practice

 - 50% from a Cost-Share Payment and

 - 40% from a Practice Incentive Payment (PIP) 

 if the practice is enrolled under wellhead protection 

 criteria

• Mid-Contract Management Cost Share

• Additional incentives may be available in your state 

under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement 

Program (CREP) 

Erosion Control | Water Quality Enhancement | Carbon Sequestration

Conservation Reserve Program

CP-3

TREE PLANTING

Photo provided by FSA
Farm Service Agency USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

FSA will ultimately determine participant and land eligibility.

Eligible Land

• Planted or considered planted 4 out of 6 

years between 2008 and 2013 

• Capable of being planted to an agricultural 

commodity

• Compliant with USDA’s highly erodible land 

and wetland provisions

Practice Requirements

• Noxious weeds and other undesirable plants, 

insects, and pests shall be controlled 

• Practice will be maintained without 

additional cost-share payments

• Cost share is approved to plant native grass 

and/or shrubs within the 10 to 20 percent 

openings

Owner/Operator Eligibility

Participants must: 

• Have owned or operated the land for more 

than 12 months prior to program sign-up

• Be in control of the land for the length of the 

contract 

• Meet USDA payment eligibility provisions

Obligations

Participants will:

• Not harvest or graze the practice area

• Work with USDA-approved conservationist to 

develop a conservation plan

• Perform periodic management activities according 

to the conservation plan

• Complete seeding of the practice within 12 months 

of the effective date of the contract

CP-3

For More Information:

Contact your local USDA, Farm Service Agency:

http://offices.usda.gov

Proven Conservation Benefits

• Establishing pine forests is one of the most effective 

forest management practices for sequestering carbon

• CRP reduced nutrient losses in FY 2014 by an 

estimated 542 million pounds of nitrogen and 108 

million pounds of phosphorus

• In 2014, CRP lowered greenhouse gas emissions by 

the equivalent of 43 million metric tons of CO2 – 

the same benefits as taking nearly 8 million cars off 

the road for a year

Photos provided by FSA, FSA Kansas and USFWS Frank Miles, respectively