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Florida Landowners Encouraged to Apply for Financial Assistance Programs through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program

NRCS and ACT Accepts Applications March 4 through April 5, 2024
Topics
FloridaRegional Conservation Partnership Program
Publish Date
Wooded field in Florida

Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values and practices have an opportunity to apply for Entity Held Conservation Easements  opportunities in partnership with USDA NRCS and the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) March 4 through April 5, 2024.

GAINESVILLE, Florida – March 4, 2024 – Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values and practices have an opportunity to apply for Entity Held Conservation Easements  opportunities in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) beginning March 4 through April 5, 2024.

The NRCS and ACT will accept applications for the fiscal year 2024 through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. The program promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners who offer value-added contributions to expand their collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. As part of these RCPP projects, NRCS and its partners have funding to pay landowners for conservation easements placed upon their land. 
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will be involved in potential match negotiations. NRCS and ACT will be responsible for screening for land eligibility, coordinating appropriately to determine the proper entity holder, negotiating conservation easement terms, and/or developing a land management plan. Applications received after April 5 will be considered for the following sign-up period, as funding allows.

The ACT leads two RCPP projects in North Florida: 1) Surface to Springs and 2) Forest to Gulf. These projects target conservation funding and resources to protection of wildlife habitat, surface and ground water, and working grasslands and forests. Landowners in these project areas are eligible for this conservation easement funding opportunity (see included map). Those who are within and/or touching the projects’ boundaries are eligible. Lands outside of these areas will not be eligible. The counties included (all or in part) are: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union.

Landowners who applied for the recent FDACS Rural and Family  Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) cycle are encouraged to apply for potential match opportunities. The state’s RFLPP partners with ACT and others when federal funds, such as RCPP, are involved. Those funding partnerships help move projects into a priority work plan for the FDACS, which means the conservation easements can be acquired more quickly.

The RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. The program promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners who offer value-added contributions to expand their collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. As part of these RCPP projects, NRCS and its partners have funding to pay landowners for conservation easements placed upon their land.

Due to the complex nature of these projects, landowners interested in these funding opportunities are strongly encouraged to reach out for guidance in the options available prior to applying. Applicants will need to take appropriate steps necessary to establish farm records and certifications.

Map of Florida NRCS RCPP ACT project areas.
The USDA NRCS and ACT partner through the RCPP to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns in the Surface to Springs and Forest to Gulf RCPP Project Areas in Florida.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) partner through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns in the Surface to Springs and Forest to Gulf RCPP Project Areas.

Application Requirements:

  • Establish/update farm records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the applicant and the land. 
  • Be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements.
  • Applicable documentation required for signature authority.
  • Have control of land, where “control” means possession of the land by ownership, lease, or other agreement.
  • Be compliant with provisions for protecting the interests of tenants and sharecroppers.

The NRCS and ACT encourage landowners and farmers who are historically underserved (HU) to apply. HU farmers are defined as farmers who are beginners, socially disadvantaged, or veterans, and/or who have limited resources.
Participating in the RCPP and RFLPP programs helps secure the future of the nation’s food supply, prevents land with high conservation value from being developed or converted to a non-agricultural use, and provides public benefits including environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat, and protection of open space.

If you are a landowner interested in conserving your land in partnership with ACT and NRCS, please contact:
Susan Carr, Forest to Gulf Project Coordinator, at susan@alachuaconservationtrust.org or phone (352) 373-1078
Erica Hernandez, Surface to Springs Project Coordinator, at erica@alachuaconservationtrust.org or (352) 373-1078
Michael Ruiz, NRCS RCPP-Easements, at michael.ruiz@usda.gov or (352) 338-9566.

Websites linked in story: 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
 

Contacts: 
Hilary Barnhart, Partnerships & Initiatives, Hilary.Barnhart@usda.gov
Denise Liggett, RCPP Coordinator, denise.liggett@usda.gov 
Michael Ruiz, RCPP Easements, michael.ruiz@usda.gov