Press Release

August 21, 2006

From: Story County Soil and Water Conservation District

For the first time, Iowa producers can enroll habitat around cropland into the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to benefit Bobwhite Quail and songbirds. The practice is referred to as CP33 or Quail Buffers.

The buffers must be installed around the edges of existing crop fields, preferably next to woody cover. The average width of the enrolled area must be between 30 and 120 feet. Buffer species may include native warm season grasses, legumes, wildflowers, forbs and limited shrub plantings. Producers will not be able to enroll land that is used for turn rows or roads. There is a very good cost share for establishment costs of 90%, also a $100 per acre first year sign-up bonus.

For more information on Quail Buffers, contact Story County Soil and Water Conservation District at 515-382-2217.