Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

News

NRCS Minnesota Announces Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE) Application Signup Cut-off Date

Minnesota News Banner

Fiscal Year 2023 ACEP-ALE applications are due March 3, 2023 

ST. PAUL, MINNFeb. 1, 2023  - Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist, Troy Daniell, announced the 2023 application cut-off dates for eligible entities to participate in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE) in Minnesota. Application packages are due on Friday, March 3, 2023, by 4:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST) for funding. 

The purpose of the ACEP-ALE program is to protect the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land that negatively affect the agricultural uses and conservation values and protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible land.

ACEP applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Applications for FY 2023 ACEP-ALE made by March 3, 2023 will be considered for funding.  The State Conservationist reserves the right to establish additional signup periods at his discretion. 

Applicants (eligible entities) must be a federally recognized Indian Tribe, state or local unit of government, or a non-governmental organization. Applicants must have an established farmland protection program that purchases agricultural conservation easements for the purpose of protecting agriculture use and related conservation values by limiting conversion to nonagricultural uses of the land.

To be eligible to receive ALE funding, eligible entity applicants must demonstrate a commitment to long-term conservation of agricultural lands; a capability to acquire, manage, and enforce easements; adequate staff capacity for monitoring and easement stewardship; and the availability of funds. All landowners of record and the land being offered for enrollment must also meet specific eligibility criteria as outlined in the application materials posted to the State ACEP website.

Fully completed application packets must be received by no later than 4:00 PM CST on an advertised signup date to be considered. Applications are to be scanned and emailed

For more information about ACEP-ALE, please contact Kaitlyn Miller at 651-602-7855 or kaitlyn.miller@usda.gov. You can also visit your local NRCS at the nearest USDA Service Center, visit the Minnesota NRCS ACEP website.

Additional Resource

Land Trust Alliance

Additional Information

Contact

Find Your Local Service Center

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.