WASHINGTON – The USDA announced June 10 that certain Conservation Reserve Program contracts expiring this year for hardwood tree practices may be extended for one year.
As a result of the recent Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, participants with 15-year contracts that are scheduled to expire Sept. 30, 2002, have through July 26, 2002, to apply for the one-year extension.
The one-year extension allows producers to extend existing CRP contracts and retain cropland eligibility status for an additional year.
Some 476 contracts are affected. The expiration date affects about 7,897 acres of planted hardwood trees now under the CRP.
Eligible CRP participants are being notified of their option to modify and extend their CRP contracts. Farm Service Agency officials at local county offices can provide further information.
