The Conservation Reserve Program is an opportunity for farmers and landowners to protect environmentally sensitive land, and be monetarily rewarded as a result. Take a look at some of the top reasons enrolling in the CRP is in your best interest, and get started with First Western Federal Savings Bank today! We’d be honored to work with you.

It’s an added form of income.

When the CRP came into fruition in 1985, former president Ronald Reagan passed it with the notion of supplying an additional source of income for farmers and landowners. Many people recognized that if farmers didn’t use environmentally sensitive land for agriculture, they’d be taking a pay cut—and given the demands of the agricultural industry, this is something that most farmers simply cannot afford.

With the CRP, you’ll receive additional payments for protecting and conserving land that would benefit from more natural restoration, rather than turning it into farmland. Once enrolled in the CRP, you will be getting a payment for each year of your contract, as well as reimbursement for any additional expenses that come up. You can bring your subsidies to First Western Federal Savings Bank, and walk away with some extra money padding your wallet.

It helps the environment.

Since the CRP pays you for taking care of the environment, this is truly a win-win for you (and Mother Earth, too!) The agricultural practices we have continue to advance, but in many instances, are still disruptive to the natural flora and fauna of an ecosystem. Certain ecosystems—such as wetlands, rainforests, deserts, and places with poorer soil content—end up being destroyed through farming, and aren’t even great places to farm in the first place.

By protecting the land that you own and maintaining its natural state, you are creating a more environmentally friendly habitat, which contributes to larger ecosystems as a whole. It might not seem like your one plot of land is making all the difference, but if no one protected the environment and land, we’d have a pretty uninhabitable and dreadful planet.

It’s more natural.

As we somewhat touched on, there are certain ecosystems that simply can’t benefit from farming—and farming can’t benefit from them, either. When overfarming takes place and the natural land is so severely disrupted, this takes away significant benefits, and also lessens the ability to farm in the future. Everything needs a break from time to time, and soil is no exception. When you look to more natural and restorative measures, you’re protecting the ecosystem, and not forcing the land to produce something it’s incapable of doing.

It’s easy!

When you have First Western Federal Savings Bank at your side, it’s never been easier to get your CRP payments cashed out. We offer competitive rates, and can help you get the prices you deserve in the timely fashion you require. All you need to do is…

• Get a quote from our team by giving us a call, or fill out our form online
• Hear back from our team, either from Jeff Fullerton or Pam Silver, who will provide you information on your quote
• Accept the money and get paid! Within a few days, you’ll receive your payment

You could help the environment, you could generate extra revenue, and you could get started on this today. At First Western Federal Savings Bank, we are so thankful for the work that you do, and want to make it as convenient as possible for you to get the money you deserve. Get started with our team, and work with First Western Federal Savings Bank for non-recourse loans and CRP payments!

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In today’s blog, First Western Federal Savings Bank will dive into some frequently asked questions regarding all things CRP-related. Knowing the details of CRP payments is an amazing way to acquire additional income in the agricultural industry. Read on to find out more about CRP Payments, and work with First Western to get the financial help you need. Offering IRA non-recourse loans and more, contact us today to align your fiscal path to the right destination.

What does “CRP” stand for?

As the IRS states, “CRP” is the acronym for the Conservation Reserve Program. It is a land conservation program that is facilitated by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

What does CRP do?

The USDA reports that “In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.”

In essence, taxpayers enroll in a land contract, somewhere between 10-15 years in length. During this time, they voluntarily agree to implement a conservation plan on land that had been previously used for farming or ranching. Land that has been used for agricultural purposes is worn down and disrupted over time, and often does not utilize or encourage the growth of native species. This is problematic in the long run, because eventually the land will become unusable, unless proper methods for conservation and restoration are taken into effect.

When did CRP come to be?

In 1985, former president Ronald Reagan signed CRP into law as an effort to conserve the environment and facilitate eco-friendly practices. In the time since then, the water quality in areas where CRP has taken place has shown improvement, as well as a reduced amount of soil erosion.

What does CRP look like in practice?

There have been multiple initiatives throughout the years since CRP was signed into law, all of which are designated to a certain species. One recent CRP initiative was with the Honey Bee Habitat. In recent years, honey bees have become an endangered species, which spells out certain catastrophe if their decline continues apace. As pollinators, honey bees are crucial to the growth of our food sources—truly everything we eat relies on plants to some extent or another, and therefore by association, honey bees as well. Through CRP, farmers and landowners are provided the financial means to work on healthy restoration of habitats for honey bees. It was specifically available in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Other CRP initiatives have included or involved duck habitats, longleaf pines, wetlands, highly erodible land, and more.

How have farmers and other participants felt about CRP?

As an article in Ag Daily reported in 2016 (over 20 years after the inception of the program), “Hundreds of thousands of farmers value FSA’s Conservation Reserve Program.” Being a farmer is one of the toughest and most important jobs in our society, and is also one of the most overlooked and underappreciated. It is incredibly challenging to make a living as a farmer, especially considering it’s a job with virtually zero vacations or days off. This is a program that offers both financial incentive to farmers while also incentivizing eco-friendly practices.

What is a CRP payment?

In exchange for not using the land for agriculture or other more destructive, non-native measures, taxpayers receive a payment for each year of their contract, as well as cost-sharing payments for the coinciding costs of carrying out the conservation plan. According to the IRS, “Unless the taxpayer is receiving Social Security, retirement or disability benefits, CRP ‘annual rental payments’ are includible in net income from self-employment subject to self-employment tax.” Essentially, this means a CRP payment can, in some circumstances, serve as an additional form of income. That being said, it is a taxable form of income and must be reported on all federal tax returns.

Where does First Western Federal Savings Bank come in?

When you receive a CRP payment, First Western can cash out your payment for present value, in just a few days. This is a service that is not available at every bank, and in fact, this is one of the valuable resources that First Western is known for.

Whether you are a rancher, a farmer, or simply a landowner, you have the potential to qualify for CRP and its subsequent payments. This is an incredible opportunity to not only increase your income, but to also contribute to the environment as a whole. Cashing out your CRP payments with First Western is one of the most positive ways you can not only impact your community or your wallet, but also the earth itself. Contact First Western today!

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