NRCS Texas accepting applications for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas announced fiscal year (FY) 2025 financial assistance opportunities for landowners through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts easement applications on a continuous basis, applications for the 2025 fiscal year ACEP funding consideration must be submitted to NRCS by Dec. 6, 2024. Any applications that are received after Dec. 6, 2024, will be considered in future funding opportunities. Application package information may be found on the Texas NRCS Easement Program webpage.

“NRCS has worked with landowners in Texas for many years to protect their agricultural lands and wetlands,” said NRCS Texas State Conservationist Kristy Oates. “Easements can be a perfect fit for a landowner who is looking to protect agriculture working lands from future development or to restore, enhance, and protect wetland functions on their property."

ACEP Agricultural Land Easements provide financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving valuable grasslands in Texas.

Eligible partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs.

ACEP Wetlands Reserve Easements allow landowners to successfully restore, enhance and protect wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses. The restoration activities provide benefits such as reducing damage from flooding, recharging groundwater and improving habitat for wildlife. Tribal landowners also have the option of enrolling land in 30-year contracts.

For more information about NRCS and its conservation programs, visit the Texas NRCS website at www.nrcs.usda.gov/texas or by contacting your local USDA Service Center.