Gov. Ed Rendell and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman recently announced the availability of a new farm program, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, at the Richard and Kay McElhaney Farm in Hookstown.

The benefits of CREP are to increase farm income on marginal land, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat for pheasants, grouse and rabbits.

Sign-up begins on April 19 and will continue until the acreage limit of 65,000 acres is reached. CREP is available in the Ohio River Basin, which encompasses 16 counties in Western Pennsylvania.

Participants can enroll acreage in 10- to 15-year contracts. Annual rental rates are based on the type of soil, the percent of slope and length of the slope.

Acreage that is within 180 feet of a stream does not need to meet slope requirements. CREP is for cropland and pastureland; woodlands are ineligible. Annual rental rates per acre will vary by county and farm but are expected to be from $70 to $105 per acre.

In addition to the annual rental rate, participants are eligible to install several different conservation practices on the CREP acreage.

The Butler County Farm Service Agency covers 50 percent of the cost of the practice, combined with the state portion, which could mean no net cost to participants.

As an added benefit, CREP participants will receive a signing incentive payment, along with a practice incentive payment equal to 40 percent of the total cost for some practices. PIP payments could be very substantial for creating buffers along creeks or sod waterways.

More information will be released next week about CREP. If you have some of the following, CREP may be for you:

Creek running through pastureland

Steep, hilly cropland

Desire to farm less land

Desire to improve wildlife habitat

Some farmers that enrolled in CREP in the eastern side of the state say, "Farm the best and CREP the rest." Considering the financial aspect alone, this will be an important decision for many.

The following list is the approved practices and their purpose for CREP land:

Establishment of permanent introduced grasses and legumes (CP1)

- To establish permanent cover of introduced grasses and legumes on eligible cropland in order to reduce erosion and provide wildlife habitat

Establishment of permanent native grasses (CP2)

- To establish permanent cover of native grasses on eligible cropland in order to reduce erosion and provide wildlife habit.

Permanent wildlife habitat (CP4D)

:- Establish permanent wildlife habitat.

Grass waterway (CP8)

- Convey runoff from terraces, diversions or other water concentrations without causing erosion or flooding; improve water quality.

Shallow-water areas for wildlife (CP9

) - Develop shallow-water areas, with an average depth of 6 to 18 inches, for wildlife; must provide a source of water for the majority of the year.

Vegetative cover, grasses already established (CP10)

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Maintain vegetative cover of grasses and legumes or native grasses on eligible cropland to enhance environmental benefits.

Wildlife food plots (CP12)

- Establish annual or perennial food plots to provide food and cover for wildlife.

Establishment of contour buffer strips (CP15A)

- Establish strips of permanent vegetation following the land's contour to reduce erosion and control runoff.

Filter strips (CP21)

- Remove nutrients, sediments, pesticides and other pollutants from surface runoff and subsurface flow by deposition, absorption, plant uptake and other processes; improve water quality; protect permanent and seasonal streams which have water year-round.

Riparian forested stream buffers (CP22)

- Remove nutrients, sediments, pesticides and other pollutants from surface runoff and subsurface flow by deposition, absorption, plant uptake and other processes. Improve water quality; protect permanent and seasonal streams which have water year-round. Create shade to lower water temperature and improve habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. Provide source of detritus and wood debris for wildlife habitat.

Wetland restoration (CP23)

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Restore functions and values of wetland ecosystem that had been converted to agricultural use.

Wildlife habitat buffer (CP29)

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Remove nutrients, sediments, pesticides and other pollutants from surface runoff and subsurface flow by deposition, absorption, plant uptake, denitrification, and other processes. This reduces pollution and protects surface water and subsurface water quality while enhancing the ecosystem of the water body. By restoring native plant communities, characteristics for the site will assist in stabilizing stream banks, reducing flood damage impacts, and restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat.