A wind project may impact your participation in one of the USDA conservation easement programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Security Program (CSP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), etc. In general, these USDA programs consist of a contract or easement between the farmer and the government, whereby the farmer agrees to do (or not do) something on the land in exchange for a payment. Some of these programs restrict the transfer of the land to another party, such as a wind developer, either by sale or lease. Before entering a wind agreement, it is important to discuss your plans with USDA officials if the plan will affect land enrolled in any of these projects. For more information: Farmers’ Guide to Wind Energy: Legal Issues in Farming the Wind. Contributor: Christy Anderson Brekken, Oregon State University

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