The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) wants to remind landowners the deadline for the Fiscal Year 2025 Farm Bill Easement signup through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is December 20, 2024.
The programs available through ACEP-are the Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) and the Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE).
ACEP-WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity and also provides opportunities for educational, scientific and limited recreational activities. Land eligible for wetland reserve easements include farmed or converted wetland that can be successfully and cost-effectively restored.
ACEP-ALE applications are accepted from eligible entities only. Eligible entities may submit proposals to NRCS 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.
While applications for ACEP are continuously accepted, the selection process for funding occurs periodically through batching periods that have specific cutoff dates. Applications for this signup need to be received by December 20, 2024. Conservation program applications are available through NRCS-AL at your local USDA Service Center and at their Application and Forms web page.