[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 42 (Friday, March 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15117-15118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04288]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

[Docket ID FSA-2023-0025]


Continuation of Farm Service Agency's Conservation Reserve 
Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; extension of authorization.

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SUMMARY: The Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions 
Act, 2024, extended the authorization of the Agricultural Improvement 
Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill), through September 30, 2024, for the 
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a Commodity Credit Corporation 
(CCC) program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). This 
notice provides information about CRP, which has been extended until 
September 30, 2024. CRP will be administered by and through its current 
terms and procedures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly Preston; telephone: (202) 720-
9563; email: [email protected]. Individuals who require 
alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial 711 
for Telecommunications Relay service (both voice and text telephone 
users can initiate this call from any telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

CRP

    The Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 
2024 (Pub. L. 118-22) maintains the CRP enrollment cap at the 27-
million-acre level for FY 2024, unchanged from the 2018 Farm Bill. 
Current CRP enrollment is 24.8 million acres. CRP's purpose continues 
to be to cost-effectively assist producers in conserving and improving 
natural resources, restoring environmentally sensitive land by 
converting it to long-term vegetative cover, and improving the health 
of grasslands. Producers may enroll in CRP's annual general and 
grassland signups. They may also enroll environmentally sensitive land 
through CRP's continuous signups. A continuous signup includes lands 
enrolled through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), 
which allows States, Tribal governments, and nongovernmental 
organizations (NGO) to partner with FSA to implement CRP practices that 
address high priority conservation and environmental objectives at 
specific locations. The dates producers may begin offering new CRP 
contracts will be announced through the normal news release process.

Transition Incentives Program

    The Transition Incentives Program (TIP) was extended through 
September 30, 2024, with no changes. The Inflation Reduction Act of 
2022 (Pub. L. 117-169) made additional funds available until September 
30, 2031, unless any future amendatory legislation specifies another 
date. TIP incentivizes the voluntary transition of land enrolled in an 
expiring CRP contract from its current landowner or operator to a 
veteran, beginning, or socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmer or rancher 
to return the land to production for sustainable grazing or crop 
production in a way that preserves established conservation practices.
    Eligible landowners and operators, veteran, beginning, or SDA 
farmers and ranchers may enroll in TIP on a continuous basis beginning 
2 years before the CRP contract expires. Landowners or operators who 
qualify for TIP may be eligible to receive additional annual rental 
payments for up to 2 additional years after the CRP contract expires.

Forest Management Incentive

    The Forest Management Incentive (FMI) was extended through 
September 30, 2024, with no change. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 
(Pub. L. 117-169) made additional funds available until September 30, 
2031, unless any future amendatory legislation specifies another date. 
FMI is available to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners currently 
participating in CRP to encourage management activities such as 
thinning and pruning of trees, which are used to provide conservation 
covers.

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation,

[[Page 15118]]

disability, age, marital status, family or parental status, income 
derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or 
reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program 
or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all 
programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or 
incident.
    Individuals who require alternative means of communication for 
program information (for example, braille, large print, audiotape, 
American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or 
the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone 
(TTY)) or dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and 
text telephone users can initiate this call from any telephone). 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and 
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in 
the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy 
of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form 
or letter to USDA by: (1) mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) 
email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Zach Ducheneaux,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2024-04288 Filed 2-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-E2-P