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FSA Announces SAFE Sign-up Date

Eligible producers may begin enrolling today (April 14) in Minnesota's State Acres For Wildlife Enhancement conservation practice under the Back Forty Pheasant Habitat program, says state Farm Service Agency executive director Perry Aasness.

SAFE is a component of the Conservation Reserve Program.

"Minnesota's Back Forty Pheasant SAFE program is targeted toward helping restore and enhance habitat for ring-necked pheasant populations, as well as benefit waterfowl, greater prairie chickens and other birds," said Aasness.

Minnesota has been allocated 23,100 acres for enrollment in the Back Forty Pheasant SAFE program.

The SAFE practice is intended to restore pheasant and greater prairie chicken habitat by establishing small blocks of grassland (10-40 acres) and enhancing existing habitats; several grassland dependent birds that are in severe decline will also benefit.

Under CRP, farmers and ranchers enroll eligible land in 10- to 15-year contracts with USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation. These plantings help prevent soil and nutrients from running into regional waterways and affecting water quality. The long-term vegetative cover also improves wildlife habitat and soil quality.

In addition to the annual rental payment and cost-share, SAFE may offer participants an up front one-time CRP Signing Incentive Payment (SIP) of $100 per each SIP-eligible acre and a Practice Incentive Payment when cost share is made.

Offered acreage must lie within counties included in the designated SAFE area (MN Pheasant and Greater Prairie Chicken Range). Not all Minnesota counties are in the SAFE area. Interested producers should contact their local FSA office to determine if their county is in the designated area.

To be eligible for enrollment, a participant must have owned or operated the land for at least 12 months prior to submitting the offer.

Additional SAFE information is available at county FSA offices.