Iowa Receives $1.1 Million for USDA's Grassland Reserve Program

More than $1 million is available from USDA to producers looking to protect valuable grasslands from conversion to other land uses through the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). Agricultural producers may sign up for GRP at their local USDA service center. The signup is continuous, but first consideration will be given to applications received by July 2.

The state received $1,068,000 which is nearly $100,000 more than last year. National priorities for this program include cost effectivenss, biodiversity, threat of conversion and grazing operations.

GRP offers Iowa producers rental agreements (10, 15, 20 or 30-year duration) at a rental rate of $16.50 per acre. An RMS grazing plan is required prior to the applicant entering in GRP. To participate in GRP, offers must be private land that includes at least 40 contiguous acres. Additional eligibility criteria and program information are available at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

Last year USDA in Iowa received 331 applications for GRP, totaling 41,346 acres. The state received enough funding for 22 applications for a total of 2,425 acres from 13 counties. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Forest Service are coordinating implementation of GRP, which helps landowners restore and protect grassland, rangeland, pastureland, shrubland and certain other lands and provides assistance for rehabilitating grasslands.

Program contacts:

Kevin Reynolds, Grassland Reserve Program Manager,
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 641-446-4135

Michael Musel, Chief Program Specialist,
USDA Farm Service Agency, 515-254-1540 x 440

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