CONGRESSMAN WALZ HONORS PIPESTONE FAMILY

01/18/2008

(Washington, DC) – This week, Congressman Walz joined with Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner to commemorate USDA’s enrollment of the one millionth acre in its nationwide Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The one millionth acre was enrolled in Pipestone County on the Steve and Margaret Lange farm

“Minnesota has always been at the forefront of conservation efforts,” said Walz. “This milestone displays the strong commitment of Minnesota’s landowners to preserve soil productivity, enhance wildlife habitat, reduce erosion and safeguard ground and surface water quality. With Minnesota’s strong conservation history, it seems fitting that the one millionth acre is located in southern Minnesota. The Lange family is part of this highly successful effort in Minnesota. I commend all of Minnesota’s CREP enrollees for their stewardship in preserving one of Minnesota’s greatest treasures for our next generation.”

CREP is a community-based, results oriented effort that focuses on local participation and leadership. CREP is a voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land. USDA establishes contracts with agricultural producers to retire highly erodible and other sensitive crop and pasture lands. During the contract period, participants convert enrolled land to grass, trees, wetlands, wildlife cover and other conservation uses.

Steve and Margaret Lange enrolled 60 acres of their Pipestone County farm into CREP. The Lange’s established riparian buffers and filter strips to protect Pipestone Creek, which winds through the couple's property, by reducing sediment and erosion from the current. In addition, the conservation practices reduce flooding impacts, enhance wildlife and improve overall water quality.

The Lange family was honored during the one millionth acre ceremony at the USDA headquarters in Washington and for their participation in CREP.