Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting February 27 through April 7, 2023. CRP is a cornerstone voluntary conservation program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a key tool in the Biden-Harris administration’s effort to address climate change and help agricultural communities invest in the long-term well-being of their land and natural resources.  

Farmers and ranchers still have time to be counted in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Although the deadline for submitting the ag census has just passed, NASS will continue to accept completed census questionnaires through the spring to ensure all farmers and ranchers take advantage of the opportunity to be represented in the widely used data.

On Tuesday, February 14, Agriculture Secretary will travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he will join Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Congressman Troy Carter and Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at a press conference. During the press conference, they will underline investments and initiatives under the direction of President Biden that expand economic opportunity and prosperity in the area and throughout the state of Louisiana, including for small and underserved producers and businesses. These actions will help create jobs, invest in and develop a competitive, well-trained workforce, close the racial wealth gap, and more.  

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is making 19.5 billion in funding available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt “climate-smart” practices.