Fed program pays Kansas producers $123 million

Kansas farmers and ranchers received nearly $123 million dollars for participating in the federal Conservation Reserve Program over the last year, according to Adrian Polansky, the state's Farm Service Agency executive director.

The annual rental payments, which were issued Oct. 1, were for 3.104 million acres enrolled in nearly 50,000 contracts.

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said CRP participants received $1.7 billion in rental payments.

The volunteer program is used to help improve water quality, control soil erosion and enhance habitats for waterfowl and wildlife.

This story was originally published October 27, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Fed program pays Kansas producers $123 million."