September 4, 2024 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). This voluntary program, authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, provides funding for the purchase of conservation easements to help productive farm and ranch lands remain in agriculture. In conjunction with restoration to help protect critical wetlands and grasslands.

Nebraska State Conservationist, Robert Lawson said, “Conservation easements are a great tool to ensure natural resources are conserved and protected for all Nebraskans. We encourage Indian tribes, local governments, non-governmental organizations and private landowners to contact their local NRCS office to find out how to apply.”

The main goal of ACEP is to prevent productive agriculture land from being converted to non-agricultural uses and to restore as well as protect wetlands and wildlife habitat. Cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forestland are eligible.

Applications can be submitted at any time, but to be considered for fiscal year 2025 funding opportunities, applications in Nebraska must be received by one of three funding deadlines: 

• October 4, 2024
• November 15, 2024
• December 20, 2024

The October 4 and December 20, 2024 batching periods are specifically for funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The November 15, 2024 batching period will be using Farm Bill funds.

For IRA ACEP-ALE, Nebraska NRCS is prioritizing and securing the following:

• Grasslands in areas of highest risk for conversion to non-grassland uses, in 9 Native Grassland Types
• Agricultural lands under the threat of conversion to non-agricultural uses.

For IRA ACEP-WRE, NRCS is prioritizing the following:

• Land with soils high in organic carbon.
• Several geographically specific priorities (e.g. playas and ephemeral wetlands).

“IRA funds are designed to support climate-smart mitigation activities and other conservation activities that facilitate them,” said Lawson. “By getting applications in early, NRCS staff will have time to assist in planning conservation practices and wetland restoration needs.”

On March 13, 2024, NRCS announced Agricultural Producers to Conserve Land through Climate-Smart Easements as part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. This will invest approximately $138 million of financial assistance from the IRA in 138 new climate-smart conservation easements, through which farmers and ranchers are conserving wetlands, grasslands, and prime farmlands.

NRCS also provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing agricultural land easements that protect ag land use and conservation values of eligible land. For working farms, this program helps farmers keep their land in agriculture. Agricultural land easements also protect high quality grasslands under threat of conversion to cropping, urban development, and other non-grazing uses.

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands through the purchase of conservation easements. Applications are currently being accepted for both agricultural land easements and wetland reserve easements. Eligible landowners may choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year WRE easement. Tribal landowners have the option of enrolling in 30-year contracts. “NRCS staff will work with all interested applicants to help them through the application process and provide one-on-one assistance to create the conservation easement option that works best for their farming or ranching operation,” Lawson said.

All wetland reserve easement applications will be ranked according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds and fish along with other wildlife habitat. Eligible applicants will be compensated with a payment rate comparable to the local land use value. Applicants will need to provide accurate records of ownership and ensure they have established fiscal year 2025 ownership eligibility with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Application information is available at your local USDA Service Center and at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. For more information about the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs and services it provides, visit your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.