Protect your legacy - MO ACEP grants open

By Blake Jackson

Calling all Missouri producers and landowners! The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is opening its doors to applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), your chance to secure funding for protecting your precious wetlands, grasslands, and farmlands.

While you can apply any time, act fast to guarantee consideration for this year's cycle! Submit your application by January 26, 2024, and seize the opportunity to receive financial support for safeguarding your land's future. Don't worry, any applications received after the January deadline will automatically roll over to the next funding cycle.

"ACEP is here to lend a hand in your conservation efforts," explains Acting Easement Coordinator Scott Siegfried. "From restoring pristine wetlands to keeping productive farmlands and grasslands thriving, NRCS easements have a lasting impact, conserving over 5 million acres across the nation."

Choose your conservation path with ACEP's two enrollment options:

• ACEP-Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE): Breathe new life into your eligible wetlands. Restore their natural beauty, protect their ecological value, and enhance their vital role in the ecosystem. Choose from perpetual, 30-year, or even state-law-defined maximum duration easements for Indian Tribes.
• ACEP-Agricultural Land Easements (ALE): Shield your farmlands and grasslands from non-agricultural encroachment. Secure their agricultural legacy for future generations by limiting non-farming activities and preserving these productive landscapes. Options include perpetual easements or durations allowed under state law.

ACEP: ACEP safeguards the agricultural future of eligible land by safeguarding it from non-farm activities that could harm its productivity and conservation value. It also ensures the continued sustainability of grazing lands and restores vibrant wetlands.

The Inflation Reduction Act has breathed new life into ACEP, injecting $1.4 billion in additional funding over five years. This revised program prioritizes easements that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while extending regular program funding through 2031.

NRCS is also streamlining ACEP to make it more user-friendly and efficient. Expect improvements in appraisals, land surveys, and certification processes for entities assisting with land enrollment. Additionally, national priority areas for ACEP easements have been expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act.

NRCS in Missouri will accept applications through Jan. 26, 2024. Visit your local NRCS Missouri field office or contact Acting Easement Coordinator Scott Siegfried at scott.siegfried@usda.gov.

For more information about NRCS programs and assistance, visit www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov.

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