America's Conservation Reserve Program: Rural planning or just another subsidy?

摘要: Abstract The Conservation Reserve Program was created by Congress in 1985 to remove highly erodible cropland from production and thus reduce soil erosion crop surpluses. program is aimed at enrolling 40–45 million acres out of an estimated 118 cropland. As November 1987, 23 had been placed the Reserve. strictly voluntary. Landowners may receive annual rental payment half cost approved conservation measures. In return, landowners must retire for ten years. Over 200,000 have each enrolled average 110 a U.S. Treasury more than $50,000 per landowner. total currently exceeds $12 billion. Whether long-term benefits can justify remains doubt. has effective life only A direct means reducing surpluses might be federal government purchase farmland create national strategic reserve.