Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) — Indiana

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a partnership between the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) that addresses water quality and wildlife issues by reducing sediment and nutrient runoff in watersheds and enhancing wildlife habitat for state- and federally-listed threatened and endangered species. CREP helps alleviate high nonpoint-source sediment, nutrient, pesticide, and herbicide losses from agricultural lands by restoring buffers and wetlands. Participants receive financial incentives to voluntarily enroll environmentally sensitive agricultural land and frequently flooded croplands under contracts of 14 to 15 years. First announced in 2005, the program was expanded in October 2024 and is now available in every county and watershed in the state, with a targeted enrollment of 100,000 acres.

Indiana landowners and farmers with environmentally sensitive agricultural land or frequently flooded croplands. Enrollment is voluntary under 14-to-15-year contracts; the program is available in every Indiana county and watershed.

Contact the CREP Program Manager or a local Soil and Water Conservation District / USDA FSA office to review eligibility requirements and enroll.