Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

Objective

To establish an agricultural conservation easement program for the conservation of eligible land and natural resources through easements or other interests in the land. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is comprised of two components – Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). The ACEP-ALE component provides funding to eligible entities to purchase conservation easements to protect the agricultural use and future viability, and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land; and to protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible land. The ACEP-WRE component provides funding for the purchase of conservation easements held by NRCS, and to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands on eligible land.

Who Can Apply

• State
• Local
• Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
• Land/Property Owner
• U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)

For ACEP-ALE an eligible entity that is an Indian Tribe, State government, local government, or a nongovernmental organization which has a farmland or grassland protection program that purchases agricultural land easements for the purpose of protecting agriculture use and related conservation values, including grazing uses and related conservation values, by limiting conversion to nonagricultural uses of the land, and that has pending offers may apply for funds. This program is available in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Mariana Islands. Individual landowners must apply through the local agency or organization that handles the farmland or grassland protection program. For ACEP-WRE, private landowners, including individual landowners, partnerships, associations, corporations, estates, trusts, and other business or legal entities, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply. This program is available in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Mariana Islands.

Who Benefits

• Land/Property Owner
• State
• Local
• Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
• U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
• Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages)
• Tribal
• Nonprofit Organization
• Farmer/Rancher/Agriculture Producer

All landowners applying for ACEP must be in compliance with the Wetland Compliance (WC) and Highly Erodible Land (HEL) provisions of the Farm Bill and, within the exception of fiscal year 2014, meet the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitations in the Farm Bill, and file a Farm Operating Plan. For ACEP-ALE, applications are submitted by an eligible entity who will be the participant in the program. For ACEP-WRE, only private landowners, partnerships, associations, corporations, estates, trusts, other business or legal entities and, Indian tribes may submit applications for easements.

Assistance Types

• Other Financial Assistance
• Cooperative Agreement

Program Contact

Danielle.Balduff@usda.gov
202-720-6168