USDA-NRCS in North Carolina is Still Accepting Applications Until December 2, 2024, for Conservation Easements Through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program provides much needed financial and technical assistance to conserve and protect valuable farmlands in North Carolina and across the nation.
Raleigh, N.C., — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) in North Carolina reminds landowners that to be considered for the fiscal year 2025 funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), applications must be submitted by Dec. 2, 2024.
Applications for ACEP are encouraged to be submitted year-round. However, USDA-NRCS in North Carolina has established specific dates that applications will be considered for potential financial assistance. All applications must be submitted to the agency by the deadline for consideration under the ACEP easements for current available funding opportunities.
The ACEP, created through the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, is a program that has two components, known as Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE).
ACEP-WRE applications are accepted directly from producers on eligible lands. These easements will restore and enhance wetlands and improve habitat. Eligible lands include farmed, prior converted or forested wetlands that can be successfully and cost-effectively restored. Applications will be rated according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds, fish and other wildlife.
Applications for the ACEP-ALE are accepted from only from eligible partners. Producers will need to work with an eligible entity to pursue funding for an ACEP-ALE conservation easement. Eligible entities include Indian tribes, state and local governments (e.g., Board of Commissioners) and non-governmental organizations (e.g., land trusts and land conservancies) that have farmland or grassland protection programs. These eligible entities may submit proposals to NRCS to acquire a conservation easement on eligible agricultural land. USDA-NRCS does not accept applications for ACEP-ALE directly from producers.
Program applications are available through your local USDA Service Center or the North Carolina USDA-NRCS website. To learn more about financial and technical assistance available to help North Carolina farmers and other landowners improve and protect their land, visit USDA-NRCS in North Carolina’s website at www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov, or visit your local NRCS office. To find information about your service center, please visit service center. If you have questions, please contact Brian.Loadholt@usda.gov.
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