February 10, 2026 – Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the 2026 enrollment periods for both the Continuous and General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), marking 40 years since the program was first opened for enrollment. Offers will be accepted for Continuous CRP beginning February 12, 2026, with the first batching period ending on March 20. The General CRP signup will run from March 9 through April 17. 

“We’re still very close to the 27-million-acre statutory cap with 1.9 million acres available for all CRP enrollments this fiscal year, so enrollment is likely to be competitive,” USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce said. “This isn’t about the total number of acres enrolled, it’s about producers and landowners offering and USDA accepting the acres that can best deliver real, lasting benefits to soil, water and wildlife.” 

CRP has long been one of the nation’s most important tools for creating rural economic stability for farmers and ranchers, particularly for those managing less productive cropland. This enrollment opportunity is especially crucial for states with the highest number of acres expiring from CRP this year. Four states have over 100,000 acres expiring in 2026: Iowa, Washington, Illinois, and Kansas. 

“Since the program’s first signup 40 years ago, CRP has played a vital role in helping producers manage risk while improving wildlife habitat, soil health, and water quality,” said Andrew Schmidt, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s director of government affairs. “PF & QF applaud this action by USDA and the Trump Administration to reopen enrollment, and we urge farmers, ranchers, and landowners to take advantage of this proven program that continues to generate strong returns for rural communities, producers, and hunters alike.”
    
The Conservation Reserve Program has supported wildlife populations and rural communities since it was created in 1985. Eligible offers under the Continuous signup, including through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative, are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as acres remain available. Under the General signup, landowner offers are ranked and scored by USDA using nationally established environmental benefits criteria to determine which offers are accepted for enrollment.  

For help enrolling in CRP, landowners can locate one of the more than 400 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever biologists throughout the United States. Visit our biologist locator to search for the nearest team member by zip code. Landowners can also visit the Habitat Help Desk at the National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic on February 20-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to learn more about CRP and begin the signup process with the help of our expert field team. 

About Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 500,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 580,000 habitat projects benefiting 31 million acres.

Media Contact
Mikayla Peper
715-294-0688
MPeper@quailforever.org