Future of CRP ?

I hope things come-together on your plan. Love pics as habitat is created. It really changes your thinking when you create the habitat that you hunt and know those birds wouldn't be there without the efforts you gave. A bit different that gaining permissions or rolling into a piece of public. Good luck!
 
The most assistance I have ever gotten was back in the 80's from the Dodge City Chapter of Quail Unlimited. I don't know if the corruption at QU's headquarters was as bad as it was at the end, but the local chapter sure helped me and other farmers especially with cover crop seed. There was a lot of CRP going in and seed companies donated unsold milo seed for that use. It was blended varieties and not for crop production. I picked up a full pallet of seed for a number of us farmers to use for the required cover crop for warm season grass planting.
I do have good support from KDWP in wildlife habitat planning and occasionally a little seed. I have received cost share from NRCS for tree/shrub planting, weed barrier and drip tape. The tree planting contractor that I use buries the drip tape in the center of the row with the tree planter and uses root slurry. The water is turned on immediately and with the bare root seedlings directly over the drip tape, the planting gets off to a great start, especially in this semi-arid region. The negative of the drip line location is that if damaged, it is difficult to repair and really isn't useful past the first year or two. I found it worst where I planted fragrant sumac and the rodents seemed to love their roots and the tape and it was difficult to splice and repair. I ended up using a bunch of splices and extra drip tape above the ground to keep the water flowing. The contractor has a separate machine to lay the weed barrier over the top of the tree planting.
I have plans for additional tree/shrub planting in the next couple of years. I may have the contractor plant the trees/shrubs with no drip tape and I would roll drip tubing on the ground a foot off the center line of the row, then let the contractor install the weed barrier. The drip tubing is more expensive than the drip tape, but I could use it for a few years and help in times of drought.
I have my own Great Plains 3 Seed No Till drill so I plant my own grass rather than using a contractor for that.
I am hopeful that in the next two years as I get my ground ready to add more CRP grass and tree/shrub plantings that the program will be there and the rate will be favorable. A few years back I had acres expiring at $50/A and the renewal rate of $31/A for either a ten or fifteen year program. I turned it down, thinking what would $31 buy me in 15 years; a luncheon meal, a fancy coffee? I was able to get it back in two years later for $48/A on the continuous signup. All I know is that land prices are crazy, cash rents are high, taxes and inputs are high and the grain market is flat. That makes it difficult for me to lock in a long contract. I know the PF Farm Bill Biologists are pushing farmers to look at small, marginal, and other parcels that do not really add to the bottom line of their operation and possibly losing money to look at CRP for those acres. I suspect that will be addressed at the Pheasant Fest in KC. My experience in my area is that most of my farm neighbors don't think much about the wildlife other than when their family wants to get together in the fall to hunt.
I hope that CRP will continue and the wildlife will benefit because of it.
 
Nice Maynard. The weed mat/fabric would have saved hundreds of hours trying to control the weeds in the first 3-4 years. Got lucky when we put in 1300 shrubs, had a couple rainy springs the first 2 years. They were a crap-ton of work, but now they are an awesome addition to the habitat. Even if the farm ever has to come out of the program, that hedgerow will not be going anywhere! Love creating habitat and seeing it being created....but it can't keep pace with what we are losing.
 
remy3424 said:
Go to the local banquet, find out who are the guys on the the habitat committee. Support them, spend money on the raffles, join the PF chapter at a sponsor level, the banquets are the big fund raiser that allows then to do everything they do. I think they will be willing to help if they have the funds.
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No I understand how they raise funds, I'm more curious of the allocation and usage of them, particularly when it comes to private ground.
 
GTTP I have to think they do way more private projects (food plots, shelter belts, etc) than public land projects. Each chapter controls their own funds, so it would vary. They will give money for acquisitions, but once the land is turned over to a government agency, that agency manages it. They might get manpower together to prepare the ground to be better habitat after the acquisition. Ask one of the board members your concerns at one of the local banquets, they will usually all have the same shirt on, so it is easy to find them. The banquet season is quickly approaching. You should be able to find a local chapter and maybe their banquet info on the national PF website. At the banquet, ask who their habitat guys are. They will likely already have a table set-up to talk to people about projects.

What question are you really asking?
 
remy3424 said:
GTTP I have to think they do way more private projects (food plots, shelter belts, etc) than public land projects. Each chapter controls their own funds, so it would vary. They will give money for acquisitions, but once the land is turned over to a government agency, that agency manages it. They might get manpower together to prepare the ground to be better habitat after the acquisition. Ask one of the board members your concerns at one of the local banquets, they will usually all have the same shirt on, so it is easy to find them. The banquet season is quickly approaching. You should be able to find a local chapter and maybe their banquet info on the national PF website. At the banquet, ask who their habitat guys are. They will likely already have a table set-up to talk to people about projects.

What question are you really asking?
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I just like to know where the dollars go. I'll be the first to admit I quit donating to them for several years because I don't see where the dollars were going in Kansas. The last couple I have donated and this year they're into me for a chunk due to an auction deal at an FFA banquet. Where I am in Kansas I assume my dollars get pooled in to a broader cause, I'd just like to see those dollars going to something public I guess.
 
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GetTothePoint said:
I just like to know where the dollars go. I'll be the first to admit I quit donating to them for several years because I don't see where the dollars were going in Kansas. The last couple I have donated and this year they're into me for a chunk due to an auction deal at an FFA banquet. Where I am in Kansas I assume my dollars get pooled in to a broader cause, I'd just like to see those dollars going to something public I guess.
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Look into P.F.s Build A Wildlife Area ( B.A.W.A. )

They had a big push last year for funding. Our group has contributed 30G over the last couple of years. Last year we spent nearly 60G on cover and food. Pollinator plots, food plots+seed for plots , tree belts , as well as equipment for planting the above.

There are currently a couple projects working in South Dakota. Our group is pushing hard for 1 more.

There a couple things to remember about PF .They can't own land. They need to spend the funds they raise. Our district guy is always telling us to spend more. We reply it's 100G to put on our banquet and we want to do another land purchase which would be our 6th.

We also did a deal with the state where we fronted money for a walkin area because the landowner needed to recieve funds immediately rather then the standard payment times.
 
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