USDA Accepts 7,300 Acres in Utah Through 2026 Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment to Benefit Natural Resources, Ag Operations

(Salt Lake City, Utah, July 9, 2026) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 7,300 acres in Utah into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive payments for their conservation efforts while benefiting their agricultural operations and protecting the nation's natural resources.

"The Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate the strength of voluntary, producer-led conservation across the country," said Susan Larson, FSA State Executive Director in Utah. "The success of the 2026 enrollment period reflects USDA's Farmers First commitment and the dedication of America's farmers and ranchers to protecting our natural resources."

Producers and landowners submitted offers on nearly 10,350 acres in Utah. Accepted acres include participation through General CRP, Grassland CRP, and Continuous CRP initiatives that support soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and long-term conservation on working lands.

Of the nearly 1,100 acres in Utah set to expire on Sept. 30, producers submitted re-enrollment offers for approximately 940 acres. Additionally, producers submitted offers to enroll 10,338 acres of new land in Utah. Counties with the highest accepted acreage include Juab County, Box Elder County and Millard County.

USDA's CRP is one of the nation's largest voluntary conservation programs, helping agricultural producers protect sensitive land while strengthening rural communities and supporting long-term sustainability.

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Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. Originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production, the program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits to farmers, ranchers, and landowners across the country.

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