2013 Grassland Reserve Program
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) | Utah NRCS
The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands, including rangeland, pastureland, shrubland, and certain other lands. The purpose of GRP is to help landowners and operators protect grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving and restoring grassland resources on eligible private lands through rental contracts and easements. The program emphasizes support for grazing operations, which maintain and improving plant and animal biodiversity and protection from conversion to uses other than grazing. The benefits of GRP include: protecting vital grazing lands from conversion, promoting agricultural stability, increasing forage production, maintaining and improving wildlife habitat and biodiversity of plant and wildlife populations, and providing scenic and recreational opportunities.
By participating in GRP, landowners/operators retain ownership of the land and the right to use the land for grazing and other compatible uses.
Administration of GRP is a coordinated effort between the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). FSA is the lead agency responsible for the administration of rental contracts and financial activities of the program, while NRCS has the lead responsibility for technical assistance, regulatory compliance, and easement administration.
How GRP Works in Utah:
Eligible Landowners or operators who manage their grasslands, have an active grazing operation, and who want to maintain and prevent their land from future conversion from uses other than grazing can apply for GRP at their local USDA Service Center.
To be eligible for GRP the applicant must be a person, legal entity, joint operator, or Indian tribe, who operates or manages livestock on private or tribal grazing lands. The applicant must also meet the Adjusted Gross Income requirement for the program and be in compliance with highly erodible lands and wetland provisions.
The land must be a viable grazing operation for which grazing is the predominant use, must be under the threat of conversion to other uses other than grazing, and must have plant and wildlife biodiversity.
Click here for additional GRP eligibility information.
Applications will be ranked and prioritized for funding based on the length of the proposed agreement, overall conservation benefit, and benefits to plant and wildlife biodiversity, and other factors. Lands enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts that will expire in the next 12 months will also receive funding priority.
Application materials can be obtained at the local FSA office. The materials below provide further information about the program.
The documents below require Adobe Acrobat
GRP Final Rule, November 29, 2010 (197 KB)
Utah FY 2011 GRP Rental Rates (Coming Soon)
Utah FY 2011 GRP Ranking Form (PDF, 21 KB)
Utah FY 2013 GRP GARCs (PDF, 10 KB)
NRCS CPA 1200 Application (PDF, 215 KB)
GRP Project and Funding Information
For more information on GRP, contact your local FSA or NRCS office.
For more Information, please contact your local USDA Service Center
Email: Jeff Williams
Phone: (801) 524-4254
Email: Casey Burns
Phone: (801) 524-4566
Email: Shane Green
Phone: (801) 524-4567
Email: Pedro Ramos
Phone: (801) 524-4552