Prairie Restoration: Converting Cropland to Grasslands

Prairie Restoration: Converting Cropland to Grasslands

Farmers and conservationists are converting marginal cropland back to native grasslands, delivering measurable benefits: prairie ecosystems sequester 4.5x more carbon than turf grass, reduce nitrogen runoff by 95 percent, and restore wildlife habitat. Federal programs like CRP provide financial incentives including rental payments and cost-share assistance, making restoration economically viable despite challenges around policy uncertainty and cultural resistance.