CRP Enrollment Paused as 2018 Farm Bill Expires Sept. 30

TL;DR: New Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment is now paused after the 2018 Farm Bill formally expired on September 30, 2026. Unlike a typical lapse, most major program funding continues through December 11 via a continuing resolution because the 2025 budget reconciliation law preserved funding. The CRP signup halt is the first concrete program-level impact of the expiration.

Key takeaway

New CRP enrollment is halted after the 2018 Farm Bill expired Sept. 30, 2026, the first concrete on-the-ground impact of the lapse.

What happened

New Conservation Reserve Program enrollment is now paused following the formal expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill on its statutory deadline of September 30, 2026. The pause is the first concrete program-level consequence of the expiration that farm-state lawmakers and farm groups had warned about, according to DTN / Progressive Farmer.

CRP is a voluntary USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) program that pays farmers to take environmentally sensitive land out of production and plant cover that improves soil, water, and wildlife habitat. With the authorization lapsed, USDA cannot accept new signups while the halt is in effect.

This expiration is different from a typical Farm Bill lapse. The 2025 budget reconciliation law preserved funding for many major programs, so most funding continues through December 11 via a continuing resolution (H.R. 6500) even as key program authorizations expire. For a title-by-title look at how the current reauthorization compares, see our whats-new vs. 2018 breakdown.

What it means

The immediate, practical effect is narrow but real: landowners who wanted to enroll new acres in CRP cannot do so while the signup is paused. Existing CRP contracts are not described as affected by this halt.

Here is how the current situation breaks down:

• CRP new enrollment: Paused as of the Sept. 30, 2026 expiration.
• Most major program funding: Continues through December 11 via the continuing resolution.
• Reason for the difference: The 2025 budget reconciliation law preserved funding for many major programs, softening the usual impact of a lapse.

Because reconciliation shielded much of the funding, the broad disruptions that usually accompany a Farm Bill expiration are not occurring across the board. The CRP pause shows that program authorizations, not just funding, still matter. Our funding breakdown explains which pots of money are protected and which depend on reauthorization.

For farmers weighing conservation decisions this fall, the pause adds uncertainty to planning. Those considering new CRP acres should monitor USDA announcements rather than assume signup will reopen on a fixed date. See our timeline and status page for the latest on where reauthorization stands.

What's next

The near-term question is how long the CRP enrollment pause lasts and whether Congress acts before the continuing resolution lapses. As of October 1, 2026, most major program funding is set to continue through December 11 under H.R. 6500.

Lawmakers are expected to use the weeks before the December 11 funding deadline to continue work on a full reauthorization or another extension. Which path they take will likely determine when CRP signup can resume and whether other lapsed authorizations are restored. Our Senate status page tracks the competing draft in the upper chamber.

If a new Farm Bill or extension is enacted, CRP enrollment authority would likely be restored, though USDA would need to announce when it will reopen signups. Readers can follow developments on our vote tracker.

Frequently asked questions

Is CRP enrollment still open after the farm bill expired?

No. New Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment is paused following the formal expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill on September 30, 2026. According to DTN / Progressive Farmer, the CRP signup halt is the first concrete program-level impact of the expiration. Landowners who wanted to enroll new acres cannot do so while the pause is in effect. Monitor USDA announcements for any reopening.

When did the 2018 Farm Bill expire?

The 2018 Farm Bill expired on its statutory deadline of September 30, 2026, according to DTN / Progressive Farmer. The expiration triggered the pause in new CRP enrollment. Unlike a typical lapse, the 2025 budget reconciliation law preserved funding for many major programs, so most funding continues through December 11 via a continuing resolution even though key program authorizations lapsed.

Does the farm bill expiration cut off all program funding?

No. Most major program funding continues through December 11 via a continuing resolution (H.R. 6500). The 2025 budget reconciliation law preserved funding for many major programs, making this expiration different from a typical Farm Bill lapse. The main visible effect so far is the pause in new CRP enrollment, because program authorizations lapsed even as funding continued.

Why is this farm bill expiration different from past lapses?

This expiration is different because the 2025 budget reconciliation law preserved funding for many major programs. According to DTN / Progressive Farmer, that means most funding continues through December 11 via a continuing resolution, so the broad disruptions that usually follow a Farm Bill lapse are not happening across the board. The paused CRP signup shows that lapsed authorizations still have concrete effects.

Will my existing CRP contract be affected?

The reported impact is on new CRP enrollment, which is now paused. Existing CRP contracts are not described as affected by this halt in available reporting. If you already hold a CRP contract, watch for official USDA guidance rather than relying on general reports, and contact your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office with questions about your specific agreement.

Sources

• DTN / Progressive Farmer , CRP enrollment paused as farm bill expires, dated 2026-09-30.