Farmers with 100 or fewer head of cows can submit applications to enroll up to 200 acres of grassland per farm in a federal conservation reserve grasslands program.

The goal is to establish or maintain long-term, resource-conserving grasses and other plants to control soil erosion, improve water quality, and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive land.

Participants can use the land for grazing or producing hay, while following a plan to maintain a cover.

Participants can receive annual payments of up to 75 percent of the grazing value of the land and up to 50 percent of the cost of cover practices like cross-fencing to support rotational grazing or improving pasture cover to benefit pollinators or other wildlife.

For more information, contact the Farm Service Agency office in Marion.