Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is a grant program from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that funds conservation easements protecting agricultural land and wetlands from development.

The program helps private and tribal landowners establish permanent or long-term easements that conserve working farms, ranches, and forests, as well as restore and protect wetland areas. Eligible applicants are private and tribal landowners including individuals. Award amounts vary based on the value of the easement and available funding.

# Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) | Natural Resources Conservation Service A **. gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. # Natural Resources Conservation Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Conserving our natural resources is a vital part of creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems on our nation’s lands.

View All Conservation Basics Natural Resource Concerns * Invasive Species and Pests View All Natural Resource Concerns * Invasive Species and Pests View All Natural Resource Concerns Featured ### Soil Science NRCS delivers science-based soil information to help farmers, ranchers, foresters, and other land managers effectively manage, conserve, and appraise their most valuable investment — the soil.

For 90 years, we’ve helped America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners conserve our nation’s resources through our voluntary programs and science-based solutions. View All Getting Assistance * Conservation Technical Assistance Helps producers identify conservation objectives and a roadmap for conservation on their operation.

* Conservation Concerns Tool Use this tool to learn about natural resource concerns that may impact your ag operation (farmers. gov). * Engineering NRCS applies sound engineering tools and principles to plan, design, and implement conservation practices and systems through delegated approval authority.

* Technical Service Providers Technical service providers offer planning, design, and implementation services to agricultural producers on behalf of NRCS. * Act Now Enables states to pre-approve applications when they meet or exceed a state's pre-determined minimum ranking score. * Applications and Forms Find more information on how to apply for NRCS conservation programs.

* How to Apply Follow our step-by-step process to get started making improvements on your land with our one-on-one conservation assistance. * Payment Schedules Review the amount and availability of financial assistance for selected conservation practices in your state. * Ranking Dates Applications for NRCS conservation programs are ranked and funded at key times throughout the year.

Compliance and Cultural Resources * Conservation Compliance: Wetlands and Highly Erodible Land Provisions To maintain eligibility for most USDA programs, producers must comply with wetland conservation provisions. * Cultural Resources NRCS programs are administered following the National Historic Preservation Act and other laws. * Environmental Compliance NRCS programs are administered following the National Environmental Policy Act.

* Disaster Recovery NRCS can help ag producers and communities recover when natural disasters strike. * Nutrient Management This practice helps producers reduce input costs, maximize yields, and efficiently manage nutrients. * Organic Agriculture Conservation and organics go hand-in-hand, and NRCS offers tools for organic farmers to improve their operations.

* Urban Agriculture Conservation assistance is available for urban farmers, including high tunnels, soil health practices, composting and irrigation. * Conservation Technical Assistance Helps producers identify conservation objectives and a roadmap for conservation on their operation. * Conservation Concerns Tool Use this tool to learn about natural resource concerns that may impact your ag operation (farmers.

gov). * Engineering NRCS applies sound engineering tools and principles to plan, design, and implement conservation practices and systems through delegated approval authority. * Technical Service Providers Technical service providers offer planning, design, and implementation services to agricultural producers on behalf of NRCS.

* Act Now Enables states to pre-approve applications when they meet or exceed a state's pre-determined minimum ranking score. * Applications and Forms Find more information on how to apply for NRCS conservation programs. * How to Apply Follow our step-by-step process to get started making improvements on your land with our one-on-one conservation assistance.

* Payment Schedules Review the amount and availability of financial assistance for selected conservation practices in your state. * Ranking Dates Applications for NRCS conservation programs are ranked and funded at key times throughout the year. * Conservation Compliance: Wetlands and Highly Erodible Land Provisions To maintain eligibility for most USDA programs, producers must comply with wetland conservation provisions.

* Cultural Resources NRCS programs are administered following the National Historic Preservation Act and other laws. * Environmental Compliance NRCS programs are administered following the National Environmental Policy Act. * Disaster Recovery NRCS can help ag producers and communities recover when natural disasters strike.

* Nutrient Management This practice helps producers reduce input costs, maximize yields, and efficiently manage nutrients. * Organic Agriculture Conservation and organics go hand-in-hand, and NRCS offers tools for organic farmers to improve their operations. * Urban Agriculture Conservation assistance is available for urban farmers, including high tunnels, soil health practices, composting and irrigation.

Featured ### Conservation Technical Assistance **Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)**provides our nation’s farmers, ranchers and forestland owners with the knowledge and tools they need to conserve, maintain and restore the natural resources on their lands and improve the health of their operations for the future. Explore State-specific resources, updates, and contact information to support your conservation efforts.

View All State Offices * State Offices Learn about the conservation needs and latest updates in your state, and access needed resources. * State Technical Committees Every state has an NRCS State Technical Committee. The State Technical Committee advises the State Conservationist on technical guidelines necessary to implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill.

* Contact Your State Office Find contact information for your state office location and employees. Our natural resource conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damage caused by floods and other natural disasters.

View All Programs & Initiatives * Environmental Quality Incentives Program Provides assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns. * Regional Conservation Partnership Program Brings together partners to expand the reach of NRCS conservation programs. * Conservation Innovation Grants Brings together partners to innovate on conservation approaches and technologies.

* Conservation Stewardship Program Helps agricultural producers take their conservation efforts to the next level. * Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Helps state and tribal governments improve public access to private lands for recreation. * Agricultural Management Assistance Helps agricultural producers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices.

* Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Offers competitive grants to support wetland mitigation bank for agricultural producers. * Conservation Reserve Program The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides a yearly rental payment to farmers who remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.

* Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Helps producers protect wetlands, grasslands and farmlands for future generations. * Wetland Reserve Easements Helps private and tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands degraded by agricultural uses. * Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership Brings together partners and producers to protect wetlands.

* Healthy Forests Reserve Program Helps landowners restore, enhance, and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands and aids the recovery of endangered and threatened species. * Agricultural Land Easements Helps private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches.

* Appraisal Submission Center Centralized point for submitting valuation reports and reviews for easement programs. * Emergency Watershed Protection Assists communities recovering from natural disasters. * Watershed and Flood Prevention Operation Offers assistance to communities to address watershed resource concerns.

* Watershed Rehabilitation Rehabilitates NRCS dams to comply with design safety performance standards. * Regenerative Pilot Program Regenerative Agriculture is a conservation management approach that emphasizes natural resources through improved soil health, water management, and natural vitality for the productivity and prosperity of American agriculture and communities.

* Landscape Conservation Initiatives Accelerates conservation benefits through targeted efforts for water quality, water quantity and wildlife. * Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Nationwide collaborative process working to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of privately owned grazing land.

* High Tunnel Provides targeted assistance to promote use of high tunnels, which offer many benefits including longer growing season. * On-Farm Energy Initiative Assistance to inventory and analyze farm systems that use energy and identify ways to improve efficiency through an Agricultural Energy Management Plan.

* Organic Initiative Voluntary conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance for organic farmers and ranchers, or those interested in transitioning to organic. * Sentinel Landscapes Initiative The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is a coalition of federal agencies, state and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations that work with private landowners.

* Environmental Quality Incentives Program Provides assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns. * Regional Conservation Partnership Program Brings together partners to expand the reach of NRCS conservation programs. * Conservation Innovation Grants Brings together partners to innovate on conservation approaches and technologies.

* Conservation Stewardship Program Helps agricultural producers take their conservation efforts to the next level. * Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Helps state and tribal governments improve public access to private lands for recreation. * Agricultural Management Assistance Helps agricultural producers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices.

* Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Offers competitive grants to support wetland mitigation bank for agricultural producers. * Conservation Reserve Program The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides a yearly rental payment to farmers who remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.

* Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Helps producers protect wetlands, grasslands and farmlands for future generations. * Wetland Reserve Easements Helps private and tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands degraded by agricultural uses. * Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership Brings together partners and producers to protect wetlands.

* Healthy Forests Reserve Program Helps landowners restore, enhance, and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands and aids the recovery of endangered and threatened species. * Agricultural Land Easements Helps private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches.

* Appraisal Submission Center Centralized point for submitting valuation reports and reviews for easement programs. * Emergency Watershed Protection Assists communities recovering from natural disasters. * Watershed and Flood Prevention Operation Offers assistance to communities to address watershed resource concerns.

* Watershed Rehabilitation Rehabilitates NRCS dams to comply with design safety performance standards. * Regenerative Pilot Program Regenerative Agriculture is a conservation management approach that emphasizes natural resources through improved soil health, water management, and natural vitality for the productivity and prosperity of American agriculture and communities.

* Landscape Conservation Initiatives Accelerates conservation benefits through targeted efforts for water quality, water quantity and wildlife. * Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Nationwide collaborative process working to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of privately owned grazing land.

* High Tunnel Provides targeted assistance to promote use of high tunnels, which offer many benefits including longer growing season. * On-Farm Energy Initiative Assistance to inventory and analyze farm systems that use energy and identify ways to improve efficiency through an Agricultural Energy Management Plan.

* Organic Initiative Voluntary conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance for organic farmers and ranchers, or those interested in transitioning to organic. * Sentinel Landscapes Initiative The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is a coalition of federal agencies, state and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations that work with private landowners.

Featured ### Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. The technical resources and references NRCS provides uses science-based technology to aid conservation planning and benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems.

View All Resources * Field Office Technical Guides * Conservation Practice Standards * How to Get a DUNS Number * National Soil Survey Handbook * Technical Soil Services Handbook View All Guides and Instructions * Soil Texture Calculator * Official Soil Series Descriptions * SSURGO/STATSGO2 Metadata * Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) View All Data and Reports Education and Teaching Materials * Soil Formation and Classification View All Education and Teaching Materials * Field Office Technical Guides * Conservation Practice Standards * How to Get a DUNS Number * National Soil Survey Handbook * Technical Soil Services Handbook View All Guides and Instructions * Soil Texture Calculator * Official Soil Series Descriptions * SSURGO/STATSGO2 Metadata * Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) View All Data and Reports * Soil Formation and Classification View All Education and Teaching Materials Featured ### Ag Innovator’s Guide Tips for Recommending Innovation and New Technologies for Use in Conservation Assistance Conserving our natural resources is a vital part of creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems on our nation’s lands.

View All Conservation Basics Natural Resource Concerns * Invasive Species and Pests View All Natural Resource Concerns * Invasive Species and Pests View All Natural Resource Concerns Featured ### Soil Science NRCS delivers science-based soil information to help farmers, ranchers, foresters, and other land managers effectively manage, conserve, and appraise their most valuable investment — the soil.

For 90 years, we’ve helped America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners conserve our nation’s resources through our voluntary programs and science-based solutions. View All Getting Assistance * Conservation Technical Assistance Helps producers identify conservation objectives and a roadmap for conservation on their operation.

* Conservation Concerns Tool Use this tool to learn about natural resource concerns that may impact your ag operation (farmers. gov). * Engineering NRCS applies sound engineering tools and principles to plan, design, and implement conservation practices and systems through delegated approval authority.

* Technical Service Providers Technical service providers offer planning, design, and implementation services to agricultural producers on behalf of NRCS. * Act Now Enables states to pre-approve applications when they meet or exceed a state's pre-determined minimum ranking score. * Applications and Forms Find more information on how to apply for NRCS conservation programs.

* How to Apply Follow our step-by-step process to get started making improvements on your land with our one-on-one conservation assistance. * Payment Schedules Review the amount and availability of financial assistance for selected conservation practices in your state. * Ranking Dates Applications for NRCS conservation programs are ranked and funded at key times throughout the year.

Compliance and Cultural Resources * Conservation Compliance: Wetlands and Highly Erodible Land Provisions To maintain eligibility for most USDA programs, producers must comply with wetland conservation provisions. * Cultural Resources NRCS programs are administered following the National Historic Preservation Act and other laws. * Environmental Compliance NRCS programs are administered following the National Environmental Policy Act.

* Disaster Recovery NRCS can help ag producers and communities recover when natural disasters strike. * Nutrient Management This practice helps producers reduce input costs, maximize yields, and efficiently manage nutrients. * Organic Agriculture Conservation and organics go hand-in-hand, and NRCS offers tools for organic farmers to improve their operations.

* Urban Agriculture Conservation assistance is available for urban farmers, including high tunnels, soil health practices, composting and irrigation. * Conservation Technical Assistance Helps producers identify conservation objectives and a roadmap for conservation on their operation. * Conservation Concerns Tool Use this tool to learn about natural resource concerns that may impact your ag operation (farmers.

gov). * Engineering NRCS applies sound engineering tools and principles to plan, design, and implement conservation practices and systems through delegated approval authority. * Technical Service Providers Technical service providers offer planning, design, and implementation services to agricultural producers on behalf of NRCS.

* Act Now Enables states to pre-approve applications when they meet or exceed a state's pre-determined minimum ranking score. * Applications and Forms Find more information on how to apply for NRCS conservation programs. * How to Apply Follow our step-by-step process to get started making improvements on your land with our one-on-one conservation assistance.

* Payment Schedules Review the amount and availability of financial assistance for selected conservation practices in your state. * Ranking Dates Applications for NRCS conservation programs are ranked and funded at key times throughout the year. * Conservation Compliance: Wetlands and Highly Erodible Land Provisions To maintain eligibility for most USDA programs, producers must comply with wetland conservation provisions.

* Cultural Resources NRCS programs are administered following the National Historic Preservation Act and other laws. * Environmental Compliance NRCS programs are administered following the National Environmental Policy Act. * Disaster Recovery NRCS can help ag producers and communities recover when natural disasters strike.

* Nutrient Management This practice helps producers reduce input costs, maximize yields, and efficiently manage nutrients. * Organic Agriculture Conservation and organics go hand-in-hand, and NRCS offers tools for organic farmers to improve their operations. * Urban Agriculture Conservation assistance is available for urban farmers, including high tunnels, soil health practices, composting and irrigation.

Featured ### Conservation Technical Assistance **Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)**provides our nation’s farmers, ranchers and forestland owners with the knowledge and tools they need to conserve, maintain and restore the natural resources on their lands and improve the health of their operations for the future. Explore State-specific resources, updates, and contact information to support your conservation efforts.

View All State Offices * State Offices Learn about the conservation needs and latest updates in your state, and access needed resources. * State Technical Committees Every state has an NRCS State Technical Committee. The State Technical Committee advises the State Conservationist on technical guidelines necessary to implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill.

* Contact Your State Office Find contact information for your state office location and employees. Our natural resource conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damage caused by floods and other natural disasters.

View All Programs & Initiatives * Environmental Quality Incentives Program Provides assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns. * Regional Conservation Partnership Program Brings together partners to expand the reach of NRCS conservation programs. * Conservation Innovation Grants Brings together partners to innovate on conservation approaches and technologies.

* Conservation Stewardship Program Helps agricultural producers take their conservation efforts to the next level. * Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Helps state and tribal governments improve public access to private lands for recreation. * Agricultural Management Assistance Helps agricultural producers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices.

* Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Offers competitive grants to support wetland mitigation bank for agricultural producers. * Conservation Reserve Program The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides a yearly rental payment to farmers who remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.

* Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Helps producers protect wetlands, grasslands and farmlands for future generations. * Wetland Reserve Easements Helps private and tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands degraded by agricultural uses. * Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership Brings together partners and producers to protect wetlands.

* Healthy Forests Reserve Program Helps landowners restore, enhance, and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands and aids the recovery of endangered and threatened species. * Agricultural Land Easements Helps private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches.

* Appraisal Submission Center Centralized point for submitting valuation reports and reviews for easement programs. * Emergency Watershed Protection Assists communities recovering from natural disasters. * Watershed and Flood Prevention Operation Offers assistance to communities to address watershed resource concerns.

* Watershed Rehabilitation Rehabilitates NRCS dams to comply with design safety performance standards. * Regenerative Pilot Program Regenerative Agriculture is a conservation management approach that emphasizes natural resources through improved soil health, water management, and natural vitality for the productivity and prosperity of American agriculture and communities.

* Landscape Conservation Initiatives Accelerates conservation benefits through targeted efforts for water quality, water quantity and wildlife. * Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Nationwide collaborative process working to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of privately owned grazing land.

* High Tunnel Provides targeted assistance to promote use of high tunnels, which offer many benefits including longer growing season. * On-Farm Energy Initiative Assistance to inventory and analyze farm systems that use energy and identify ways to improve efficiency through an Agricultural Energy Management Plan.

* Organic Initiative Voluntary conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance for organic farmers and ranchers, or those interested in transitioning to organic. * Sentinel Landscapes Initiative The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is a coalition of federal agencies, state and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations that work with private landowners.

* Environmental Quality Incentives Program Provides assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns. * Regional Conservation Partnership Program Brings together partners to expand the reach of NRCS conservation programs. * Conservation Innovation Grants Brings together partners to innovate on conservation approaches and technologies.

* Conservation Stewardship Program Helps agricultural producers take their conservation efforts to the next level. * Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Helps state and tribal governments improve public access to private lands for recreation. * Agricultural Management Assistance Helps agricultural producers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices.

* Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Offers competitive grants to support wetland mitigation bank for agricultural producers. * Conservation Reserve Program The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides a yearly rental payment to farmers who remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.

* Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Helps producers protect wetlands, grasslands and farmlands for future generations. * Wetland Reserve Easements Helps private and tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands degraded by agricultural uses. * Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership Brings together partners and producers to protect wetlands.

* Healthy Forests Reserve Program Helps landowners restore, enhance, and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands and aids the recovery of endangered and threatened species. * Agricultural Land Easements Helps private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches.

* Appraisal Submission Center Centralized point for submitting valuation reports and reviews for easement programs. * Emergency Watershed Protection Assists communities recovering from natural disasters. * Watershed and Flood Prevention Operation Offers assistance to communities to address watershed resource concerns.

* Watershed Rehabilitation Rehabilitates NRCS dams to comply with design safety performance standards. * Regenerative Pilot Program Regenerative Agriculture is a conservation management approach that emphasizes natural resources through improved soil health, water management, and natural vitality for the productivity and prosperity of American agriculture and communities.

* Landscape Conservation Initiatives Accelerates conservation benefits through targeted efforts for water quality, water quantity and wildlife. * Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Nationwide collaborative process working to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of privately owned grazing land.

* High Tunnel Provides targeted assistance to promote use of high tunnels, which offer many benefits including longer growing season. * On-Farm Energy Initiative Assistance to inventory and analyze farm systems that use energy and identify ways to improve efficiency through an Agricultural Energy Management Plan.

* Organic Initiative Voluntary conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance for organic farmers and ranchers, or those interested in transitioning to organic. * Sentinel Landscapes Initiative The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is a coalition of federal agencies, state and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations that work with private landowners.

Featured ### Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. The technical resources and references NRCS provides uses science-based technology to aid conservation planning and benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems.

View All Resources * Field Office Technical Guides * Conservation Practice Standards * How to Get a DUNS Number * National Soil Survey Handbook * Technical Soil Services Handbook View All Guides and Instructions * Soil Texture Calculator * Official Soil Series Descriptions * SSURGO/STATSGO2 Metadata * Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) View All Data and Reports Education and Teaching Materials * Soil Formation and Classification View All Education and Teaching Materials * Field Office Technical Guides * Conservation Practice Standards * How to Get a DUNS Number * National Soil Survey Handbook * Technical Soil Services Handbook View All Guides and Instructions * Soil Texture Calculator * Official Soil Series Descriptions * SSURGO/STATSGO2 Metadata * Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) View All Data and Reports * Soil Formation and Classification View All Education and Teaching Materials Featured ### Ag Innovator’s Guide Tips for Recommending Innovation and New Technologies for Use in Conservation Assistance # Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) 2.

Programs & Initiatives 3. Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values, protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.

* Agricultural Land Easements(ALE) help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as state and local governments protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.

* Wetland Reserve Easements")(WRE) help private and tribal landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.

Additionally, through ACEP, USDA offers the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership") (WREP), a voluntary program through which NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to leverage resources to carry out high priority wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement and to improve wildlife habitat.

### ALE Success Stories Across the Country The ALE interactive map showcases successful projects across the country protecting croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches. ### Applications and Forms If you’re interested in applying for NRCS conservation programs, contact your local NRCS office. To apply, you’ll have to complete an application as well as have other forms on file.

### Land No matter if you grow crops or raise livestock, or you manage timber or want to improve your private land, NRCS has options for you that are good for your land and its natural resources. * Guide to ACEP-ALE for Heirs’ Property Landowners * Best Appraisal Practices When Partnering with NRCS * WRE Coloring Book: Are YOU a Champion for Wetlands?

* ALE Coloring Book: Why We NEED Agricultural Land Contact your local service center to start your application. ## Find Your Local Service Center USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices.

If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices. usda. gov. **Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?

** Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. **To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.

** NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

### Step 2: Start an Application **We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:** * To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.

* To meet other eligibility certifications. Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200. Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods.

Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time. ### Step 3: Check your eligibility **As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible.

To do this, you’ll need to bring:** * An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID) * A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

### Step 4: Rank your application **NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them** according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State. ### Step 5: Implement your plan **If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.

** Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.

## Related News and Events News ### Preserve Rhode Island’s Ag Lands, Wetlands, and Forest Lands with USDA Conservation Easements March 24, 2026 News ### USDA Announces Extension of Second FY 2026 Signup for Conservation Programs in Connecticut March 23, 2026 Success Story ### Family Legacy: Securing Historic Farmland Through Conservation Easements March 09, 2026 # Natural Resources Conservation Service U.S. Department of Agriculture * Non-Discrimination Statement * OneFPAC - Employee Links * Report Fraud on USDA Contract