WASHINGTON, DC -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $332 million in financial and technical assistance through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts ACEP applications on a rolling basis, but to receive funding in fiscal year 2015 you must submit by May 15, 2015.
ACEP was authorized as a part of the 2014 farm bill and consolidated the existing Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The streamlined program focuses on two types of easements: Agricultural Land Easements that prevent agricultural land from being converted to non-agricultural uses and help to ensure the integrity of productive farm and ranch land; and, Wetland Reserve Easements that restore, protect, and enhance wetlands through the purchase of an easement. Both categories include four easement options: permanent easements, 30-year easements, term easements, and 30-year contracts for land owned by Native American tribes.
To learn about ACEP and other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or your local USDA Service Center.
Contact: Ben Mosely (703) 236-1471