Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct a general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program until June 14. CRP has a 27-year legacy of protecting the nation’s natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States. Under Secretary Vilsack’s leadership, USDA has enrolled 11.7 million acres in various CRP efforts.“Last year, during one of the worst droughts in generations, the CRP proved vital in protecting our most environmentally sensitive lands from erosion,” said Vilsack.