Image by merc67/DepositPhotos imageThe USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) has announced the statewide sign-up funding deadlines for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

Florida landowners and eligible entities may apply at any time, but to be considered for the FY 2025 IRA funding opportunities, complete and eligible applications must be received by the following national cutoff dates for both Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE):

• Friday, October 4, 2024 – First batching period.
• Friday, December 20, 2024 – Second batching period.

Separate application cut off dates will be announced for the Florida general ACEP–WRE and ACEP–ALE funding allocations.

ACEP protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting non-agricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values. ACEP protects grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, as well as protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.

AdvertisementACEP’s two components:

• ALE, which helps private and Tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities (such as state and local governments) to protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.
• WRE, that helps private and Tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.

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

• Grasslands in areas of highest risk for conversion to non-grassland uses, in order to prevent the release of soil carbon stores.
• Agricultural lands under the threat of conversion to non-agricultural uses.

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

• Land with soils high in organic carbon.
• Former or degraded wetlands that occur on lands that have been or are being used for the production of food and fiber, including rangeland, pastureland and hay land.
• Forest production lands, where the hydrology has been significantly degraded or modified.

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.

To learn more, contact NRCS-FL at your local USDA Service Center.

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