Farmable Wetlands Program

The Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP) is designed to restore previously farmed wetlands and wetland buffer to improve both vegetation and water flow. FWP is a voluntary program to restore up to one million acres of farmable wetlands and associated buffers. Participants must agree to restore the wetlands, establish plant cover, and to not use enrolled land for commercial purposes. Plant cover may include plants that are partially submerged or specific types of trees.

The Farm Services Agency (FSA) runs the program through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with assistance from other government agencies and local conservation groups.

By restoring farmable wetlands, FWP improves groundwater quality, helps trap and break down pollutants, prevents soil erosion, reduces downstream flood damage, and provides habitat for water birds and other wildlife. Wetlands can also be used to treat sewage and are found to be as effective as “high tech” methods. 

Farmers and ranchers in any state can take part in the program. However, there are restrictions on the land and amount of acreage that can be enrolled. Land generally must have been used for agricultural purposes for 3 of the past 10 crop years, can include a man-made wetland used to process water flow for crop drainage, can have been used for aqua farming purposes, or has been used for prairie wetland overflow purposes. 

Interested landowners should check with their local FSA office for other requirements and limitations related to acreage and restricted years of activity. 

A three-part payment package under CRP, on a long contract. FSA publishes:

• "Annual rental payments based on soil productivity and local rental rates."

• "Cost-share assistance of up to 50% of the costs for establishing approved conservation practices."

• "Additional financial incentives for certain practices and enhancements."

Contract length: "FWP contracts typically range from 10 to 15 years." The program summary puts it together: participants "receive annual rental payments, cost-share assistance for establishing conservation practices, and other financial incentives for the duration of their contract, typically 10 to 15 years."

No specific dollar figures are published — no per-acre rate, no floor, no ceiling. Your rental rate is derived from your soils and local cash-rent rates, so your county FSA office is the only place to get an actual number, and you should get that number before committing acres.

What you give up in exchange: the enrolled wetland and buffer come out of crop production for the contract term and are restored to wetland vegetation and cover, with conservation structures installed to control water flow. You submit an offer through your local FSA office; "Enrollment periods vary," so ask about the current sign-up.

Offers for FWP are accepted throughout the year. FWP contracts last between 10 and 15 years. All enrollment offers are processed through your local FSA office.