Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (MN CREP) (MN CREP)

MN CREP pairs a 14-15 year federal CRP contract (FSA, 60% incentive above standard CRP rental) with a permanent state RIM easement paid as a lump sum, on marginal cropland in 66 southern and western Minnesota counties. Practices: grass filter strips (CP21), wetland restoration floodplain/non-floodplain (CP23/23a), native grasses in wellhead protection areas (CP2). Goal 75,000 acres; landowners retain ownership and control access. Sign-up is in batching periods announced on the page. Landowners apply through their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), which submits the package to BWSR.

Farmers and agricultural landowners in the 66-county MN CREP area (southern and western Minnesota) with riparian, marginal agricultural, previously drained wetland or wellhead-protection cropland; eligible for CRP; general RIM eligibility applies.

14-15 year CRP contract with 60% rental-rate incentive plus lump-sum perpetual RIM easement payment at township-average rate; native restoration fully funded; ownership and recreation/hunting access retained.

Published amounts: Landowners receive payments based on CRP rental rates (60% incentive above the standard CRP rate for a 14-15 year contract) and a lump-sum up-front payment for the permanent RIM easement, with rates based on local land values. Payment Rate Type: Township average. Restoration at no cost to landowners.

Contact your local SWCD to find out how to sign up for Minnesota CREP; applications are accepted in announced batching periods and processed jointly with the FSA county office.

Deadline text on the page: Update from May 16, 2025: The first batching period of calendar year 2025 will be held May 16 – June 6, 2025. 'Enrollment for the MN CREP began in May of 2017 and will continue until funds are exhausted or the 75,000 acre limit is reached.' Easement Programs page: 'Application Type: Batch; Funding Status: Dependent on CRP sign-up periods.' No 2026 batching period posted.