South Dakota receives fourth most CRP funding in 2023

South Dakota has received the fourth most money in the nation from a federal program aimed at protecting environmentally sensitive land. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the Conservative Reserve Program or CRP has sent $129 million to South Dakota. That is just behind Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa who tops the list at $402.5 million received. The program pays landowners to maintain grass, trees and other plant species. This helps prevent soil erosion, filters runoff water, and maintain wildlife habitats.