Rates for the Conservation Reserve Program have gone up.

In response, Turtle Creek Watershed District Administrator Justin Hanson encourages Freeborn County agricultural landowners to sign up during the one-month registration, which kicked off Monday and runs through April 15.

Mark Schaetzke of the Freeborn County Soil and Water Conservation District said rates have gone up about 10 percent across the board. Rental rates have an increased range of $144 to $218 per acre.

According to Hanson, Freeborn County CRP applicants are in a good position to get bids accepted for enrollment due to the priority wildlife areas throughout the county. Of the sign-ups in 2010, 93 percent were accepted in Freeborn County.

The watershed officials hope landowners will talk with one of the conservation professionals about laying out a CRP buffer plan that is feasible for their operation. For more information, contact Hanson by e-mail at justin.hanson@mowerswcd.org or phone at 507-434-2603.