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

Shelterbelts save energy, provide wind protection for farmsteads and livestock areas, and control snow 

accumulation. 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 Shelterbelts?

By planting rows of trees and shrubs on the edges 

of cropland, landowners and farmers create a 

natural wind barrier to protect fields, farmsteads, 

and livestock from wind damage. Shelterbelts also 

provide vital habitat for wildlife as a source of food 

and cover. Offered in continuous sign-up, CP16A:

• Saves energy

• Protects crops, livestock and homesteads

• Increase pollinator habitat

• Creates wildlife habitat 

• Reduces wind erosion

Farm Service Agency USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Financial Benefits

CP-16A participants are guaranteed:

• 10-15 years of annual rental payments 

• Payments covering up to 90% of the eligible costs 

of establishing the practice

 - 50% from a Cost-Share Payment and

 - 40% from a Practice Incentive Payment (PIP) 

• Sign-up Incentive Payment (SIP) up to $100/ac

• Mid-Contract Management Cost Share

• Maintenance Rate Incentive

• Additional incentives may be available in your state 

under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement 

Program (CREP) 

Energy Savings | Crop and Livestock Protection | Wildlife Habitat

Conservation Reserve Program

CP-16A

SHELTERBELT ESTABLISHMENT

Photo provided by FSA, NE
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

• Suitable for planting trees

• 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 shall be maintained without 

additional cost-share payments

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 planting of the practice within 12 months 

of the effective date of the contract

CP-16A

For More Information:

Contact your local USDA, Farm Service Agency:

http://offices.usda.gov

Proven Conservation Benefits

• In prime habitat, a 4% increase in CRP vegetation is 

associated with a 22% increase in pheasant counts

• 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 NRCS Don Poggensee and FSA respectively