All offers submitted under a general signup will be screened at both the local and national level to determine the suitability of the acreage and acceptability of the rental rate offered. In addition, offers will be evaluated in terms of cost for the environmental benefits obtained. Acres accepted will be limited to the Secretary's authority to maintain 36.4 million acres or less as determined by the Secretary. This is based on the latest actual data which has been adjusted to reflect acres that have dropped out of the program, expired, or accepted one of the early-out offers. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127.
Program is announced through news media and in letters to agricultural producers in the county.
Consult the local phone directory for location of the county FSA office. If no listing, contact the appropriate State FSA office listed in the FSA section of Appendix IV of the Catalog. Annual rental payments are made at the rate set in the accepted offer. A cost-share payment not to exceed 50 percent of the eligible cost of establishment may be made when approved conservation practices are established and the applicable technical agency certifies performance. Annual rental payments in cash or generic commodity certificates will be made for 10-15 years.