Landowners' Opinions Contribute to USDA Conservation Policy via USGS Survey

By Mark Vandever and Art Allen

Because farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners manage two-thirds of the Nation's land, environmental and conservation goals have become key factors in formulating national agricultural policy. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the largest environmental program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with enrollment exceeding 34 million acres in all 50 States. Improvement in program performance is a goal of CRP administrators, and participants' input on how the program is working "on the ground" is an important factor in evaluating its success. In response to a request by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), scientists at the USGS completed a national survey of over 2,000 landowners holding active CRP contracts in 2001.

CRP has provided habitat for economically and socially important game species such as the white-tailed deer.

The purpose of the survey was to describe participant opinions about personal effects of the CRP, wildlife issues, and USDA administration of the program. FSA wanted this information to better manage the CRP by addressing landowner needs. In addition, recent years have witnessed legislation yielding greater attention to social and environmental issues associated with agricultural systems. Too often, land-use policy decisions are implemented using broad-brush approaches without considering the complexities of regional landscapes. To address this situation, the survey also was designed to capture regionally specific attitudes by summarizing the results by USDA Farm Production Region as well as nationally. In this way, decision makers will have a better understanding of regional issues to assess how national policies might affect them.

Long-term monitoring of CRP grasslands documents changes in wildlife habitat quality.

Survey results reveal the majority of respondents value environmental and social benefits derived from the CRP. Environmental benefits in the form of decreased soil erosion and improved air and water quality were realized by a majority of participants. Social benefits were noted as well--for example, helping to prevent urban sprawl, improving recreational opportunities, increasing opportunities to view wildlife, and generating the satisfaction of doing something beneficial for the environment. A majority of participants also believed that the CRP provided positive changes in wildlife populations.

Mature stand of CRP planted to native grasses in the Great Plains.

Respondents were encouraged to include written comments about the program to more fully express their opinions. From a national perspective, comments such as "since establishment of the CRP, streams have surface water in them" or "the CRP grasses capture drifting snow, making winter feeding of cattle easier" may appear relatively unimportant or impractical to measure, but this kind of comment captures the indefinable substance of the program. An appreciation of such understated effects can improve FSA understanding of environmental and social implications of long-term conservation programs delivered within agricultural ecosystems.

CRP grasses established on retired cropland in North Dakota.

Overall, respondents appreciated the quality of information and assistance in program enrollment and administration furnished by the USDA. More personal attention by USDA staff, periodic on-site visits, and efficient methods to communicate successful management strategies between program participants were suggested ways to improve administration of the program.

Seventy-five percent of survey respondents feel CRP benefits to wildlife are important.

By garnering information that helps identify regional and national issues of concern to CRP participants, this coordinated effort between the USGS and FSA provides a tool for FSA to make needed refinements that support effective administration of the CRP. The final report, "A National Survey of Conservation Reserve Program Participants on Environmental Effects, Wildlife Issues, and Vegetation Management on Program Lands," Biological Science Report USGS/BRD/BSR 2003-0001, is available from the authors (above) or online at http://www.fort.usgs.gov/products/publications/21075/21075.asp.

Density of CRP acreage in the U.S. by county. (USDA/FSA)