AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM

There are currently two identical bills pending in Congress (House Resolution 4730 and Senate Bill 2148) which this research will examine. Title I of these bills would establish a reforestation and conservation program entitled the Conservation Reserve Program. The Secretary of Agriculture would be able to designate land regularly used in the production of certain crops as eligible for program participation. If a landowner of farmer places the‐designated land in the program it must be planted in a “shelter belt,” which is an area of vegetative cover. Shelter belts can be divided for simplicity into two types, grassland and tree.