USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Sign-Up for Conservation Easements Program
NRCS in Georgia announces a ranking date for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. All applications must be submitted by October 25, 2024, for their application to be included in this batch of fiscal year 2025 program funding.
Release No.: 08.24
ATHENS, GA, Sept. 20, 2024 — State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph, for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia, today announced a sign-up for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2025. To be considered for the upcoming fiscal year’s funding pool, applications must be submitted by October 25, 2024.
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 is an effective tool for landowners and eligible entities to conserve, restore and protect our nation’s wetlands, productive agricultural lands and grasslands,” said Rudolph. “NRCS is honored to be trusted by our customers to help them make long term conservation goals a reality while protecting our nation’s stewardship goals at the same time.”
ACEP-WRE applications are accepted directly from producers and landowners on eligible lands. These easements will restore and enhance wetlands and improve habitat. Eligible lands include farmed wetlands and degraded forested wetlands that can be successfully and cost-effectively restored. Applications will be ranked 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 eligible entities only. Those eligible entities will submit applications to NRCS on behalf of producers and landowners to acquire a conservation easement on eligible agricultural land. NRCS does not accept applications for ACEP-ALE directly from producers. Producers will need to work with an eligible entity to pursue funding for an ACEP-ALE conservation easement. Some examples of eligible entities include Land Trusts and Land Conservancies. Land types that could be eligible for ACEP-ALE include cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forestland with prime and statewide important soils.
All applications must be submitted to Georgia NRCS by October 25, 2024, for both ACEP-ALE (from the eligible entity) and ACEP-WRE (from producers and landowners with eligible wetland habitats). Conservation program applications are available at your local USDA Service Center and at our Application and Forms web page.
NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment. More information on NRCS conservation programs can be found at https://www.farmers.gov/ or https://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov.
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