CRP

CRP is an acronym that can refer to several distinct concepts in medicine, agriculture, and organizational naming. This article summarizes two widely encountered meanings: C-reactive protein, a medical biomarker, and the Conservation Reserve Program, a U.S. land-conservation initiative.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation or tissue injury. Blood levels rise within hours after an inflammatory stimulus and often peak within one to two days. CRP testing supports assessment of inflammatory activity and infection, monitors treatment response, and, with high-sensitivity assays (hs-CRP), helps estimate cardiovascular disease risk in asymptomatic individuals. Interpretation depends on context, and CRP is not disease-specific; levels can be elevated by infection, trauma, obesity, smoking, and chronic conditions. Reference ranges vary by assay and laboratory.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a U.S. federal land-conservation program established in 1985 under the Food Security Act and administered by the Farm Service Agency. It pays landowners to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant long-term cover, such as grasses and trees. Contracts typically run 10 to 15 years and include annual rental payments plus cost-share assistance for approved conservation practices. The program aims to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and provide other environmental benefits. Critics cite program costs and opportunity costs for farmers, while proponents emphasize broad ecological and rural-economic gains.