The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) wants to remind landowners that applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2025 must be submitted by October 25, 2024.
The ACEP has two components, Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE).
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. Conservation program applications are available from NRCS at your local USDA Service Center and on their Application and Forms web page.