Agricultural landowners in Florida that may interested in protecting the integrity of your property are urged to consider safeguarding your land with a conservation easement through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL). While they do accept agricultural conservation easement applications year-round Friday, March 7th is the cutoff date to get applications in for Fiscal Year 2025 funding.
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values. The ACEP protects grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and it also protects, restores and enhances wetlands on eligible land.
The Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) component funds permanent agricultural land easements that not only protect the future of the nation’s food supply, but also support environmental quality, wildlife habitat, and historic preservation and protection of open spaces. Landowner applicants who are interested must apply through an eligible entity – such as a land trust, municipality, or State agencies.
Under the Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) component, landowners may apply directly to NRCS for a conservation easement to restore wetlands impacted by agriculture. Wetland Reserve 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, provide resilience to climate change, and provide opportunities for limited recreational activities.
Contact Crenel Francis, crenel.francis@usda.gov to apply for ACEP-WRE. Contact Sara May, sara.may2@usda.gov for information on ACEP-ALE.