CRP Migratory Bird Initiative to be held on Aug. 28

Perkins County Farm Service Agency (FSA) and several partner organizations are hosting an informational meeting on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Migratory Birds, Butterflies, and Pollinators State Acres For Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project. 

The meeting is scheduled for noon on Monday, Aug. 28 at UNL Extension Office - Stumpf International Wheat Center, 76025 Road 329 in Grant. Lunch will be served, and those interested in attending are asked to RVSP for the meeting by calling (402) 471-5413. 

Sign-up for the CRP Migratory Bird SAFE began earlier this year and will be on-going until the acres are filled. In Nebraska there are 10,000 acres available for enrollment.

The Migratory Birds SAFE project is designed to improve habitat by restoring playas for migrating and wintering waterfowl, shorebirds and water birds. Playas are round, shallow depressions that often fill with water after spring rainstorms or fill from underlying aquifers. 

The minimum enrollment per offer is two acres, and the maximum enrollment per offer is 160 acres. The process for enrollment will be by competitive bid, and the offers will be reviewed periodically, ranked and contracts offered. Contracts will only be made available for acres that are located within designated playa areas. In Perkins County, this includes all townships except a few sections in the northwest corner of the county. 

Landowners who are interested in learning more about this SAFE project are encouraged to attend the meeting. They also can learn more about it by calling the Perkins County FSA Office at 308-352-4747.