From Row Crops to Conservation: Kevin Love's Journey to Sustainable Farming

In the heart of Blackford County, Indiana, farmer Kevin Love made a pivotal decision that transformed his agricultural practices and yielded both economic and environmental benefits.

Facing challenges such as soil erosion and declining wildlife habitats, Kevin turned to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a federal initiative that offers financial incentives to farmers who convert environmentally sensitive land into conservation reserves.

Embracing the Conservation Reserve Program

Established under the Food Security Act of 1985, the CRP aims to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitats by encouraging farmers to remove marginal lands from agricultural production and establish permanent vegetative cover. 

Participants receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance for implementing approved conservation practices.

The CRP’s financial structure played a key role in Kevin’s decision. The program provides annual rental payments based on soil productivity and local rates, along with cost-share assistance covering up to 50% of the costs for establishing approved conservation practices.

Kevin’s journey into conservation farming began when he and his wife were looking for a way to keep their farm financially viable. 

“From a financial standpoint—it was a no-brainer,” he said. “We enrolled.”

What started as a financial decision quickly became a deeply rewarding environmental one.

Addressing erosion, enhancing habitats

Soil erosion was one of the primary challenges Kevin faced on his hilly farmland. Before CRP, earlier farmers had removed the original waterways, worsening erosion. 

CRP provided a way to give the land a much-needed break. 

“This program gives the ground a lot of chance to rejuvenate itself,” he said. 

Kevin noticed a profound shift in wildlife after enrolling. The program he joined specifically aimed to restore bobwhite quail populations.

“Back in the day, there were a lot of fence rows,” he said. “ Through the evolution of farming, the fence rows disappeared and along went the quail and the small game.”

The program, though, has benefited far more than just quail on his farm. 

“I've seen deer. I've seen pheasant. There’s hawks out here in the spring of the year. There's all kinds of butterflies... It just seems to change at different times of the year, but there’s a lot of wildlife.”

Early on, a few skeptical neighbors wondered about the “weeds” (native plants) growing on Kevin’s land. But by the second year, things settled,  the landscape began to thrive and neighbors no longer questioned what he was doing.

Navigating the enrollment process

Kevin credits local agencies with helping him get started. He first got in touch with Wesley Slain, NRCS District Conservationist for Blackford and Delaware counties. 

“Then they had a biologist come out and we went through all the requirements,” Kevin said. 

He also worked with Jay County Soil and Water Conservation, which supplied a drill for planting native grasses. 

“We used it over like 500 or 600 acres. They actually have two drills—one for native grass and one for regular grass seed,” Kevin said. 

Encouraging landowners to embrace conservation

Kevin now has 89 acres in the CRP. He also raises cattle and grows hay on land not in conservation programs. 

Despite early uncertainties, Kevin says the CRP has paid off—financially, environmentally, and emotionally. Additionally, he says he wishes he had chosen the longest time commitment available through the program. He chose a 10-year contract instead of a 15-year contract. 

The longer contract offers farmers more options and more flexibility in long-term planning and investment in conservation practices. 

“Not just the financial part of it, but just the idea that you’re helping the ground out. If I had to do it over again, I’d definitely go 15 years.”

He encourages other farmers to consider programs like CRP—not just for the check, but for the legacy. 

“What I like about it is it gives the land a break,” Kevin said. “And you just more or less sit back and let nature do its thing.”

For more information on how the Conservation Reserve Program can benefit your farm, reach out to the Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District. Their team can provide guidance, resources, and support to help you implement conservation practices that work for your land and your bottom line.