Interview with a CRP Farmer

Terry Spence is a second-generation farmer & livestock producer outside Unionville, Missouri. He owns his own farm, and manages adjacent farms, one of which is enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. He is co-founder and president of Family Farms for the Future and CLEAN (Citizens Legal Environmental Action Network). Terry is also a trained and certified level III Missouri Stream Team 714 water quality volunteer. He serves as coordinator of Harmony Beef & Farm Products, a project that produces and markets sustainable farm produce.

Q) How long have you enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for land you manage?

I look after land owned by a friend who has it for an investment. His CRP land is coming up for the third ten year enrollment in 2008.

Q) What is the value of the Conservation Reserve Program from your perspective?

I think the CRP program has been good for many farmers that diverted their acreage from crop production to set aside while still being supplemented with income for doing so. It also has been benificial for wildlife in our area as well as sportsmen.

Q) How could it be improved?

I feel the program could be improved by enforcing the initial standards that the program was set up with. Even though the land lays idle it should be maintained and tended to keep trees, erosion and etc. from taking place. I think the CRP acres should be clipped or hayed every other year to keep the land in a productive state and it would still be good habitat for wildlife.

Q) What do you think the effect of corn ethanol will be on the Conservation Reserve Program?

Many acres were taken out of CRP to plant corn this year but I feel this will be short term. I don't believe corn ethanol is the answer to renewable energy, its to costly to produce when other alternatives are available such as switchgrass that could be associated with CRP.

Q) What is the long term outlook for corn ethanol production in the US?

I think its just a matter of time before large conglomerates like ADM, Cargill, or Monsato has full control of the ethanol market and then its no different than the oil conglomerates and our fuel situation at present.

Q) Do sportsmen use the land you've enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program?

The CRP land that I oversee is leased out to hunters and sportsman who hunt and fish on the property.

Q) What critters do you see out on that land?

There are lots of whitetail deer, wild turkeys, some pheasant and quail.