The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a long-term (10-15 year) perennial vegetation program intended to reduce soil erosion and protect resources.
The established vegetation is a near "natural" system. These systems are not fertilized and will, over time, substantially limit the amount of N and P leaving the area enrolled in the program. Research indicates an average 85% reduction in nitrate-N concentration and a 75% reduction in P load with conversion to CRP from row-crop production. In addition, CRP acres provide plant and animal habitat and soil improvement benefits.