On September 4, 2024, USDA announced a funding opportunity for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2025. ACEP generally assists landowners and other entities with protecting wetlands and working farms and ranches using conservation easements. ACEP also supports the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. IRA section 21001 allocates funds to multiple climate smart agricultural investment programs including ACEP.
USDA accepts applications year round but encourages interested parties to apply by the next two ranking dates, October 4, 2024 and December 20, 2024. Funding is available for Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE). USDA’s press release includes a list of the agency’s current priorities in awarding the funds.
Update: On October 2, 2024, USDA announced that up to $7.7 billion will be available for the program through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Farm Bill.