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NRCS-WA announces FY’25 ACEP-ALE batching deadlines

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Graphic of the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program.

First round of applications batching is Oct. 4, 2024, and second round of applications batching is Dec. 20, 2024.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington (NRCS-WA) is currently accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program – Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE).  While applications for ACEP-ALE are taken on a continuous basis, the batching dates to be considered for Fiscal Year 2025 funding are Oct. 4, 2024, for the first round of applications batching, and Dec. 20, 2024, for the second round of applications batching.

ACEP-ALE provides cost-share financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing perpetual Agricultural Land 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 agricultural production.  The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, and shrubland.  Eligible partners include American Indian tribes, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations that have farmland, rangeland, or grassland protection programs.

For more information about ACEP-ALE, please refer to the NRCS-Washington ACEP-ALE Program Webpage or the NRCS ACEP-ALE national webpage and For questions about the program please email our state easement team at nrcs.wa.easements@usda.gov

To learn how to get started with NRCS, click here, or visit your local USDA service center. To learn how to sign up for free email and text alerts about the latest NRCS program and national funding opportunities, click here.

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