USDA’s Farm Service Agency is extending the deadline to Nov. 20 for the Soil Health and Income Protection Program, a new pilot program that enables farmers to receive payments for planting perennial cover for conservation use for three to five years.

Sign-up opened March 30 for the pilot program, which is part of the Conservation Reserve Program and available to producers in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Richard Fordyce, FSA administrator, says the agency wanted to provide enough time for farmers to enroll in the program.

“Landowners interested in planting perennial cover on less productive cropland to conserve and improve soil, water, and wildlife resources on their land should contact their FSA county office about applying,” Fordyce says.

Through SHIPP, producers can apply for three-, four- or five-year CRP contracts to establish perennial cover on less productive cropland in exchange for payments. This pilot enables producers to plant perennial cover that, among other benefits, will improve soil health and water quality while having the option to harvest, hay and graze outside the primary nesting season.

Producers can enroll up to 50,000 acres in the program.

Perennial cover grown over multiple years can improve soil health and productivity for generations and increase a producer’s bottom line, according to FSA. Soil health, or soil quality, is by definition the soil’s capacity to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.

The SHIPP pilot is the latest option in a full suite of opportunities available to producers through CRP and other conservation programs offered by USDA. Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their FSA county office soon about whether this pilot fits their operation or if they should consider a longer-term option such as the CRP General signup or CRP Continuous signup that is ongoing.

Visit FSA online for more information or contact your local USDA office.

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