Conservation Reserve Program

62nd General Signup Period Environmental

Benefits Index (EBI)

Overview

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is 

conducting a Conservation Reserve Program 

(CRP) general enrollment from March 4 

through 29, 2024.

CRP is a federally-funded voluntary program 

that contracts with agricultural producers 

so environmentally sensitive agricultural 

land is not farmed or ranched, but instead 

is devoted to conservation benefits. CRP 

participants establish long-term, resourceconserving plant species, such as approved 

grasses or trees (known as “covers”) to 

control soil erosion, improve water quality, 

and develop wildlife habitat. In return, FSA 

provides participants with rental payments 

and cost-share assistance. Contract duration 

is between 10 and 15 years. Approved 

contracts for the general CRP signup period 

will begin Oct. 1, 2024.

CRP is authorized by the Food Security 

Act of 1985 and was reauthorized by the 

Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 

(the 2018 Farm Bill). The 2018 Farm Bill 

was extended by the Further Continuing 

Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 

2024 (Pub. L. 118-22). FSA administers CRP, 

while other USDA agencies and partners 

provide technical support. More detailed 

information on CRP is available in the FSA 

fact sheet, “Conservation Reserve Program 

62nd General Signup Period, March 4 

through 29, 2024.”

Ranking CRP Offers 

FSA will rank offers submitted by 

landowners for the 62nd general CRP signup 

period according to the Environmental 

Benefits Index (EBI). FSA collects data 

for each EBI factor based on the relative 

environmental benefits for the land offered. 

For More 

Information

For more information on 

FSA programs, eligibility 

and related information, 

visit fsa.usda.gov. To 

locate your local FSA 

office, visit: farmers.gov/

service-locator. 

This fact sheet is provided 

for informational purposes 

only; other restrictions or 

requirements may apply. 

Consult your local FSA office 

for details. 

MARCH 2024

EBI rankings are unique for each tract of 

land offered for general CRP.

FSA assigns each offer a score based on the 

offer’s relative environmental factors. Each 

offer competes with all other offers. FSA 

determines the acceptability of the offer 

based on the ranking results.

For the 62nd general CRP signup period, 

FSA will use the following EBI factors to 

assess the environmental benefits for the 

land offered, as follows:

 Wildlife habitat benefits resulting 

from covers on contract acres (N1);

 Water quality benefits from reduced 

erosion, runoff and leaching (N2);

 On-farm benefits from reduced 

erosion (N3);

 Benefits that will likely endure beyond 

the contract period (N4);

 Air quality benefits (N5) and;

 Cost (N6).
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N1 - Wildlife Habitat 

Cover Benefits: 

(0 to 100 Points)

Factor N1 is an evaluation of the 

expected wildlife benefits of the offer 

and is comprised of three subfactors 

(N1a-c). The formula for N1 = N1a + 

N1b + N1c.

 N1a - Cover (0 to 50 points)

This subfactor is an evaluation of 

the wildlife habitat cover offered. 

FSA assigns points for cover practice 

planting mixtures based on the 

potential value to wildlife within each 

state. FSA awards higher scores for 

cover types that are more beneficial to 

wildlife. Local USDA Service Centers 

have a list of approved planting mixes 

and the assigned point scores for each 

cover mix. Point scores are based on 

the weighted average score for cover 

mixes the producer selects. Native 

mixes of diverse species generally 

receive the highest point scores. 

Eligible cover practices under the N1a 

criteria are in Table 1.

(Producers should note that wildlife 

habitat cover selection is the most 

critical factor impacting wildlife benefits. 

Optimum cover types significantly 

increase the point score for this factor).

 N1b - Wildlife Enhancement 

(0, 5 or 20 points)

This subfactor provides up to 20 points 

for actions producers take to enhance 

the wildlife benefits for the offered 

acres. Enhancement to the acres 

is necessary to receive the points. 

For example, to receive 20 points, 

producers may offer to establish a 

minimum of 10 percent of the acres 

offered to pollinator habitat N1b 

criteria provided in Table 2.

 N1c - Wildlife Priority Zones 

(0 or 30 points)

FSA consulted with farm, commodity, 

wildlife, and environmental groups to 

develop high-priority wildlife areas 

that would benefit from being enrolled 

in CRP. For land located within this 

defined geographic area, points are 

awarded for planting cover mixes to 

benefit wildlife species. This subfactor 

provides 30 points if at least 51 percent 

of the offered acres are located within 

the wildlife priority zone and the 

weighted average N1a score is greater 

than or equal to 40 points.

N2 - Water Quality 

Benefits from 

Reduced Erosion, 

Runoff, and Leaching 

(0 to 100 Points)

One of CRP’s main goals is to reduce 

the amount of sediment, nutrients 

and pollutants that enter our nation’s 

waterways. Factor N2 is an evaluation 

of the potential impacts that CRP may 

have on both surface and groundwater quality. N2 is comprised of three 

subfactors (N2a-c). The formula for N2 

= N2a + N2b + N2c.

 N2a - Water Quality Zones 

(0 or 30 points)

This subfactor is an evaluation of 

the benefits of improving ground or 

surface water quality impaired by crop 

production. States have identified water 

quality zones for protection. At least 

51 percent of the acres offered must be 

within an approved water quality zone 

to receive 30 points. Local USDA Service 

Centers have detailed maps of the 

approved water quality zones.

 N2b - Groundwater quality 

(0 to 25 points)

This subfactor is an evaluation of 

the predominant soils, the potential 

leaching of pesticides and nutrients 

into groundwater, and the impact to 

people who rely on groundwater as 

a primary source of drinking water. 

Point scores are based on the weighted 

average leach index for soils offered 

for enrollment and the population that 

utilizes groundwater for drinking.

 N2c - Surface water quality 

(0 to 45 points)

This subfactor is an evaluation of the 

amount of sediment (and associated 

nutrients) that may be delivered into 

streams or other water courses. This 

factor is determined by potential 

water erosion in the watershed in 

which the offer is located. The Revised 

Universal Soil Loss Equation version 

2 (RUSLE2) determines the water 

erosion of the offer.

N3 - On-Farm Benefits 

of Reduced Erosion 

(10 to 100 Points)

CRP helps maintain the long-term 

productivity of the land for future 

generations. Factor N3 is an evaluation 

of the potential for the land to erode 

as the result of either wind or water 

erosion. This factor is measured using an 

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Erodibility Index (EI). FSA awards points 

for the weighted average of the higher 

value of either the wind or water EI, 

based on the results from Table 3.

N4 - Enduring Benefits 

(0 to 50 Points)

Factor N4 is an evaluation of the 

likelihood for certain practices to 

remain in place beyond the CRP 

contract period. N4 values are 

determined by calculating the 

weighted average score for all 

practices in Table 4.

N5 - Air Quality 

Benefits 

(3 to 45 Points)

Factor N5 is an evaluation of the air 

quality improvements by reducing 

airborne dust and particulate caused 

by wind erosion from cropland. In 

addition, this factor has points for the 

value of CRP land that provides carbon 

sequestration. This factor is comprised 

of four subfactors (N5a-c). The formula 

for N5 = N5a + N5b + N5c.

 N5a - Wind Erosion Impacts 

(0 to 25 points)

FSA will determine the potential for the 

site to have wind erosion damage. FSA 

will award points based on potential 

wind erosion and the amount of 

population that may be impacted by 

the erosion. The wind erodibility index 

is using the Wind Erosion Prediction 

System (WEPS) to determine potential 

wind erosion for the offer.

 N5b - Air Quality Zones 

(0 or 10 points)

FSA awards a maximum of ten points if 

at least 51 percent of the acres offered 

is located in an air quality zone that contributes to nonattainment of air quality 

standards and the calculated weighted 

wind EI is equal to or greater than three.

 N5c - Carbon Sequestration 

(3 or 10 points)

The subfactor is an evaluation of the 

benefits of sequestering greenhouse 

gases by practice over the expected 

life of the practice. FSA awards points 

based on a weighted average of carbon 

sequestration benefits for all practices 

using the value in Table 5.

N6 - Cost

Factor N6 is designed to optimize the 

environmental benefits per dollar for 

CRP rental payments. Factor N6 is 

comprised of two subfactors (N6a and 

N6b). The formula for N6 = N6a + N6b.

 N6a - Cost (point value determined after end of enrollment 

based on actual offer data)

Offers with lower per acre rental rates 

may receive more N6a points and have 

increased chances of being accepted.

 N6b - Offer Less Than Maximum 

Payment Rate (0 to 25 points)

Offers equal to the maximum payment 

rate will receive 0 points. Offers 

below the maximum payment rate will 

receive points according to the value in 

Table 6.

EBI Threshold for 

Acceptance

After the 62nd general CRP signup 

period ends March 29, 2024, FSA will 

analyze and rank all eligible offers. 

The Secretary of Agriculture will then 

determine the EBI threshold used to 

accept offers. Because CRP is a highly 

competitive program, producers who 

would have met EBI during previous 

enrollment periods are not guaranteed 

an offer acceptance under the 62nd 

general CRP signup period.

Making CRP Offers 

More Competitive

Maximum CRP enrollment authority 

is 27 million acres by 2024. As such, 

the demand to enroll land in CRP is 

expected to be high. 

To make offers more competitive, 

producers should consider the 

following:

 The single most important 

producer decision involves 

determining which cover practice 

to apply to the acres offered. 

Planting or establishing the 

highest scoring cover mixture 

is the best way to improve the 

chances of offer acceptance.

 Offering the most environmentally sensitive land increases the likelihood of the offer being accepted. 

Where possible, subdividing fields 

to include only the most sensitive 

acres can substantially increase 

the point score for erosion and 

improve the water quality score 

and/or air quality score. Producers should consider enhancing 

covers for the benefit of wildlife 

or establishing pollinator habitat. 

In addition, producers may plant 

and manage hardwood or softwood trees that increase wildlife 

habitat values or restore certain 

rare and declining habitats. These 

potentially increase the EBI score 

in subfactors N1a and N4

 Producers should consider 

accepting a lower payment rate 

than the maximum amount FSA is 

willing to offer.

FSA also encourages producers to 

consult with local USDA experts on 

steps to take to maximize EBI points 

and increase the likelihood that an 

offer will be accepted.

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Table 1 – Cover Practices (CP) for the N1a Criteria Point 

Score

CP1 Permanent introduced grasses and legumes

Existing monoculture (1 species) stand of an introduced grass. 0

Existing stand of 2 to 3 species or planting new stand of 2 to 3 species of an introduced grass species. 10

Existing stand or planting mixture (minimum of 4 species) of at least 3 introduced grasses and at least 1 forb 

or legume species best suited for wildlife in the area.

40

CP2 Permanent native grasses and legumes

Existing monoculture (1 species) stand of a native grass. 0

Existing stand (minimum 2 to 3 species) or planting new mixed stand (minimum of 3 species) of at least 2 

native grass species and at least 1 forb, or legume species beneficial to wildlife.

20

Existing stand or planting mixed stand (minimum of 5 species) of at least 3 native grasses and at least 1 

shrub, forb, or legume species best suited for wildlife in the area.

50

CP3 Tree planting (general)2

Southern Pines (Softwoods) - Solid stand of pines/softwoods (existing according to State-developed standards or planted at more than 550 trees per acre).10

Northern Conifers (Softwoods) - Solid stand of conifers/softwoods (existing according to State-developed 

standards or planted at more than 850 trees per acre).

Western Pines (Softwoods) - Solid stand of pines/softwoods (existing according to State-developed standards or planted at more than 650 trees per acre).

Southern Pines (Softwoods) - Pines/softwoods existing or planted at a rate of 500 to 550 per acre depending 

upon the site index (State-developed standards) with 10 to 20 percent openings managed to a CP4D wildlife 

cover.

50

Northern Conifers (Softwoods) - Conifers/softwoods existing or planted at a rate of 750 to 850 trees per 

acre depending upon the site index (State developed standards) with 10 to 20 percent openings managed to 

a CP4D wildlife cover.

Western Pines (Softwoods) - Western Pines (softwoods) - Pines/softwoods existing planted at a rate of 550 

to 650 per acre depending upon the site index (State-developed standards) with 10 to 20 percent openings 

managed to a CP4D wildlife cover.

Opening for Southern and Western Pines are not to be less than a minimum of 2 acres or a maximum of 5 

acres in size for fields of 20 acres and larger. 

For smaller fields will be based upon percentage. Opening in Northern conifers will be one-half to 2 acres in 

size. Opening may include buffers on the interior of the field. Field edges (borders) may be used if they are 

irregular in shape and average 30 feet in width.

Natural regeneration of native herbaceous or shrubby vegetation with required maintenance may be permitted within open areas if it is consistent with NRCS technical standards and concurred with by State FWS 

or U.S. FWS Officials.

Open areas of native grasses and/or shrub planting best suited for wildlife in the area shall be considered 

CP3 for EBI scoring and contract purposes.

50

CP3A Hardwood tree planting2

Existing or planting solid stand of nonmast producing hardwood species 10

Existing or planting solid stand of a single hard mast-producing species 20

Existing or planting mixed stand of hardwood species best suited for wildlife in the area 30

Existing or planting mixed Stand (3 or more species) of hardwood species best suited for wildlife in the area 50

Existing or planting longleaf Pine or Atlantic White Cedar - Planted at rates appropriate for the site index. 50
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Table 1 – Cover Practices (CP) for the N1a Criteria—continued Point 

Score

CP4D Permanent wildlife habitat

Existing or planting mixed stand (minimum of 4 species) of grasses, trees, shrubs, forbs, or legumes planted in 

mixes, blocks, or strips best suited for various wildlife species in the area.

A wildlife conservation plan must be developed with the participant.

40

Existing or planting mixed stand (minimum of 5 species) of either of predominately native species including 

grasses, forbs, legumes, shrubs, or trees planted in mixes, blocks, or strips best suited to providing wildlife habitat. Only native grasses are authorized. Introduced grasses are not authorized and shall not be 

included in cover mixes for 50 point N1a scores for CP4D. A wildlife conservation plan must be developed 

with the participant.

50

CP12 Wildlife food plot3

Wildlife food plots are small non C/S plantings in a larger area. Wildlife food plots will never be the predominant cover. NA

CP25 Rare and declining habitat restoration4

Existing stand or seeding or planting will be best suited for wildlife in the area. 

Plant species selections will be based upon Ecological Site Description data.

50

CP42 Pollinator habitat

Existing stand or planting (minimum of .5 acres) of a diverse mix of multiple species suited for pollinators 50

1Cover that is existing or will be established must accomplish the purpose of the practice.

2State Conservationist may revise FOTG on planting rate to be consistent with CRP.

3CP12 acreage is not included in the weighted average point score. For example, a 50-acre offer with a 45-acre CP25 planting 

and a 5-acre food plot calculates the weighted average using only the 45 acres of CP25 planting. 

45 acres x 50 points (CP25 point score) = 2250 points

2250 points divided by 45 acres = 50 points

4Technical practice standards for the selected habitat type must meet applicable standards and be approved by DAFP at least 

30 calendar days before the beginning of signup.
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Table 2 – Practices for the N1b Criteria Points

Establishment of pollinator habitat CP42 that remains in the location of CRP-1. The habitat size, shape, and composition must meet the following requirements.

CRP Acreage Offered Size Habitat Size Requirement

Less than 10 acres At least 1 acre of pollinator habitat. Habitat areas must be at least .5 acre.

10 acres or greater At least 10 percent of acreage offered in pollinator habitat. Habitat areas must be 

at least .5 acre.

20

Annual or permanent food plot (CP12) that remains in the same location for the contract length or rotated food 

plot for which the location changes during CRP-1 length. CP12 food plots must be consistent with NRCS FOTG 

up to 10 percent of a field, not to exceed 5 acres per field.

Example: A producer would like to enroll 200 acres. Field 1 is 120 acres, Field 2 is 45 acres, and Field 3 is 35 

acres.

5

Field Size

NRCS FOTG 

Limit 10 Percent Limit

5 

Acres

Limited CP12

Acres

1 120 12 12 acres 5 5.0

2 45 4.5 4.5 acres 5 4.5

3 35 3.5 3.5 acres 5 3.5

13.0

Note: CP12 the NRCS FOTG standard, is limited by the lessor of either 10 percent of the field size or 5 acres/field for the 

food plot. The 5 acres of food plot may be either one 5 acre food plot or 2 or more food plots where the cumulative total 

would be < 5 acres. Expiring CRP land with trees loses its cropland status after the expiration of the contract.

Table 3 – Erodibility Index Points

EI – Sheet and 

Rill or Wind Points

EI – Sheet and 

Rill or Wind Points

EI – Sheet and 

Rill or Wind Points

EI – Sheet and 

Rill or Wind Points

0 10 6 22 12 37 18 97

1 10 7 22 13 46 19 98

2 10 8 25 14 56 20 99

3 16 9 25 15 67 21+ 100

4 16 10 25 16 79

5 22 11 29 17 92

Table 4 – Practices for the N4 Criteria Points

New hardwood tree (CP3A), longleaf pines, or Atlantic White Cedar plantings or CP25 where the plant community is existing or will be established to primarily trees50

Existing or enhanced stand of hardwood Trees, Longleaf pine, and/or Atlantic White Cedar (CP3A) 40

New pine/softwood tree (CP3) 30

CP25 where the plant community is existing or will be established to a primarily grass and/or shrub complex or 

CP42.

25

Existing pine/softwood tree (original contract signed as CP3) 20

All other conservation practices not listed (CP1, CP2, CP4D) 0
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Table 5 – N5c Carbon Sequestration

Practice Points

CP3, CP3A, CP25 (primarily trees) 10

CP25 (primary grass complex), CP42 5

CP4D 4

CP1, CP2 3

CP12 0

Table 6 – N6b Offer Less than Maximum Payment Rate

Percent Below Maximum Payment Rate N6b Points

1 2

2 4

3 6

4 8

5 10

6 12

7 14

8 16

9 18

10 20

11 21

12 22

13 23

14 24

>=15 25

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