Bozeman, Mont., Dec. 9, 2015—The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana has extended the funding application deadline for the Agricultural Land Easement component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) from Jan. 15, 2016, to March 25, 2016.
Landowners and entities interested in using conservation easements to address natural resource concerns can submit applications at any time. Though signup is continuous, funding selections are made at specific times during the fiscal year. To be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2016, applications for the Agricultural Land Easement component of ACEP must be submitted by March 25, 2016. The application deadline for the Wetland Reserve Easement component of ACEP will remain Jan. 15, 2016. Ranking information will be available at a later date.
NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland and shrubland.
Eligible partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs.
To learn about ACEP, visit the Montana NRCS website at www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov.
Source: USDA NRCS Montana
#
