Technically the Soil bank program and Conservation Reserve Program are the same program. The original CRP was a provision of the Soil Bank act of 1956-1960.
In the 1970s farm commodities rose and in the farm subsidies have been cut, leading to the return of intense agriculture (in order to keep the farm.) Alot of these farms are now either part of a slick farm conglomerate or a suburban housing developments.Iv'e learned that as a sportsman, there are other issues to look at besides gun control.
Anyway the farm bill of 1984 brought back the CRP program.
One of the flaws with CRP was intially planting cool season grasses and caucasian bluestem, which are not good for birds. Native warm season grasses are pushed heavily, but I think they are a little bit overrated, when good old weeds are just as good for cover an better food sources. But think about it. Which would you think was better:some nasty old weeds that daddy and grandaddy always tried to get rid of? or some fancy rare prairie grass that costs $200 per bag and takes alot of time and energy to establish? Knowing human nature I'm betting the grass wins 4 out of 5 times.
It will no doubt surprise you that I still think free roaming domestic housecats are the #1 predator on quail and that anyone that owns an outside cat shouldn't be allowed to quail hunt.
Rudy, if you like to read quail hunting stories from Old South Carolina, I highly recommend "My Health is Better in November" by Havilah Babcock.