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Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

water and land
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Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Program Suspended The CREP Program is currently suspended, and we are not accepting new applications. If you have any questions about a current CREP contract, use the CREP MDARD Contacts. View CREP Contact Information

What is CREP?

Michigan’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) was created to help protect our environment and wildlife. Michigan is partnering with the federal government to implement conservation practices of great significance to the state, and valuable to the nation, in matters of soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

CREP is founded upon the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) yet differs from the CRP by offering enhanced financial incentives for participants. In Michigan’s CREP, farmers and other landowners in priority watershed areas agree to enroll eligible parcels of land in the program for 15 years and establish prescribed conservation practices.

In return, landowners receive cost-share assistance in establishing conservation practices. Approved practices include introduced grass planting, native grass planting, field windbreak, filter strips, riparian forest buffer, wetland restoration, and sediment retention-controlled structure. 

CREP MDARD Contacts

John Switzer
Program Manager
517-881-5172
SwitzerJ3@Michigan.gov

Staci Kienitz
Program Secretary
517-930-1144
KienitzS1@Michigan.gov

Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development 
Deborah A. Stabenow Building, 6th Floor, North Tower
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Phone: 800-292-3939