NRCS is Now Accepting the second round of Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) Applications for the Inflation Reduction Act Climate Smart Effort

CASPER, Wyo. – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a nationwide ACEP signup for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Wyoming NRCS is currently accepting applications for enrollment into ACEP ALE. Applications for the current IRA funding cycle must be submitted by December 20, 2024. In Fiscal Year 2025, NRCS emphasizes implementing ACEP-ALE for grasslands in areas of highest risk to include program-eligible agricultural lands currently classified as grassland or native vegetation (e.g., sagebrush, tall grass prairie) where NRCS has identified a high threat of conversion to a non-grassland use and program-eligible cropland or grassland where NRCS has identified a high threat of conversion to a non-agricultural use.  

ACEP protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values, and protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land.

• ACEP-ALE applications are submitted to the Wyoming NRCS State Office by the Eligible Entity that will hold the easement.

This is the second and final ACEP IRA funding cycle for Fiscal Year 2025 with applications due December 20, 2024. 

Producers must have farm records current with the Farm Service Agency and work with the Eligible Entity to be considered for financial assistance through ACEP-ALE.   To discuss the eligibility of the project and to locate an NRCS field office near you, please visit the USDA Service Center webpage