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

Longleaf pine forests provide vital wildlife habitat while mitigating the negative effects of wind and water erosion. 

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 Longleaf Pines?

Restoring and managing longleaf pine forests from 

cropland enhances wildlife habitat - for game and 

songbird species, amphibians and others - and protects 

water quality. Once the practice expires, the forest may 

be commercially harvested, adding significant economic 

boosts for landowners and farmers. Eligible in portions of 

the southeast and Texas through continuous sign-up, 

CP-36:

• Creates habitat for numerous endangered and valuable 

species

• Promotes carbon sequestration

• Reduces risk of catastrophic loss from insects, fire, 

disease, and weather

• Produces valuable timber providing investment income

• Protects soil and water quality

Farm Service Agency USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Financial Benefits

CP-36 participants are guaranteed:

• 10-15 years of annual rental payments

• Payments covering up to 90% of the eligible 

costs of establishing the longleaf pine practice

 - 50% from a Cost-Share Payment and

 - 40% from a Practice Incentive Payment (PIP)

• Signup Incentive Payment (SIP) up to $100/acre 

• Mid-Contract Management Cost Share 

Wildlife Habitat | Carbon Sequestration | Soil and Water Quality

Conservation Reserve Program

CP-36

Longleaf Pine Establishment

Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Forestry Commission
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 

• Located in the Longleaf Pine National CRP 

Priority Area

• Compliant with USDA’s highly erodible land 

and wetland provisions 

• Suitable soils and site conditions for longleaf 

pine plantings 

Practice Requirements

• Chemicals used in performing the practice 

shall not include fertilizers

• Noxious weeds and other undesirable plants, 

insects, and pests shall be controlled 

• Practice will 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 seeding of the practice within 12 

months from the effective date of the contract

CP-36

For More Information:

Contact your local USDA, Farm Service Agency:

http://offices.usda.gov

Proven Conservation Benefits

• Establishing longleaf 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 courtesy of the South Carolina Forestry Commission