Friday is the deadline for Nebraska farmers, ranchers and landowners to take part in the general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program, or C-R-P. Larry Lago, with the USDA's Farm Service Agency, says it's a rare chance to get involved with a premier conservation program.  (play audio  :23   “rural communities.”) 
Producers who enroll land in the C-R-P plant long-term, resource-conserving cover crops in exchange for rental payments. About 200-thousand of the one million acres that are enrolled in the program in Nebraska will expire this year.  (play audio  :08   “this fall.”) 
USDA officials say CRP is the largest private lands carbon sequestration program in the country. They estimate the carbon sequestration on CRP ground in the year 2010 alone is the equivalent of taking almost ten million cars off the road. The original sign-up deadline of April 6th was extended one week. For details, contact your nearest FSA Service Center.