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Farmers in 27 northwest Ohio counties may now be better equipped to help improve conservation in the Lake Erie watershed following improvements made to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

The Lake Erie CREP rewards farmers for practices such as establishing grass buffer strips, planting trees and conserving wetlands along the lake's tributaries and streams.

Gov. Bob Taft recently announced changes to the Lake Erie CREP that offer farmers more flexibility in contract lengths and additional financial incentives for planting trees. Some highly erodible land, not previously eligible for the program, will now be included. A special enhancement for landowners in the Tiffin and Blanchard river Watershed will reward farmers who work together to establish contiguous riparian corridors along major streams and tributaries.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that the Sandusky Watershed has been selected for the Conservation Security Program.

"There is a tremendous amount of conservation activity taking place in this area of the state," said USDA State Conservationist Terry Cosby.

The Conservation Security Program rewards farmers who are proven stewards of the land, according to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

"Ohio is fortunate to have a strong tradition of sound conservation in agriculture," said Chris Henney, OFBF director of policy development. "Conservation practices on the farm go a long way towards maintaining and improving our state's water quality."

Farmers can contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District for more information on the conservation programs.