INDIANAPOLIS -

A federal program that rewards farmers for turning some of their land into wildlife habitat has been opened to another 9,600 acres of Indiana farmland, per the Associated Press.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's decision means Hoosier farmers can now apply to have some of their acreage enrolled in the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement program.

Participants receive annual rental payments for 10 to 15 years and help with land-maintenance expenses such as erosion control.

They must sign contracts ensuring that the land isn't farmed but is used to create wildlife habitat that can help sustain the federally endangered Indiana bat and other species such as the northern bobwhite quail and the American woodcock.

I see a lot of activity on this thread. Kind of explains why we're losing habitat at a ridiculous rate.

I'd enroll every acre of cropland I own if they'd take it.

It used to be they only wanted Highly Erodible acres. And maybe some skinny buffer strips along stream banks.

Is this a different program from the regular Conservation Reserve?

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If I had crop history every acre I could would be in safe acres 100dollar sign on bonus per acre

Its different

I wish landowners would use these programs.

Something I see around me that seems very counterproductive is several big farmers in the neighborhood have some obvious buffer strips, wet fields, etc. enrolled in CRP programs.

They grow a great stand of waist high grass and weeds that will hold small game and even give deer a place to bed, then late summer they mow it down to about 6" height and it is no good for any wildlife. Now when the crops are harvested, fields are turned, and the wildlife could use that cover the most it is gone.

Ive got land in CRP and Wildlife Habitat, is this the same program as Wildlife Habitat. I only pay $1 an acre for taxes on the Wildlife Habitat now and have 28 acres in CRP. What would this program pay me? h.h.

As I read the program, if you have qualifying land the payment is great then what you are describing you have now. Type in "state acres wildlife enhancement program" for the full description

The best way to find out if you qualify is to go to your SWCD office and They will help If that doesn't work P M me your name and county and I will get it to the right office Our annual MTG is in Jan and I will be in contact with every county in the statements

Darn auto correct State lol

I've got several pieces in various CRP programs paying anywhere from about $90 to $150 per acre.

They tell you the max. number you can bid, then you make an offer. I assume if you bid $150 and your neighbor bids $140 for equal parcels, they would take his?