Farmers in Low Socioeconomic Status Counties Enroll Less Land, Receive Less CRP Funding Per Acre

Participation in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is associated with a number of farm and operator characteristics. But casual observation suggests that socioeconomic status is also correlated with program enrollment outcomes. This study examines the relationship between county-level socioeconomic status and participation patterns in CRP, while controlling for other factors that typically impact program enrollment. Result suggest that farms in low socioeconomic status counties are less likely to participate, enroll a smaller share of their land, and receive less per acre enrolled.