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Agricultural Conservation Easement Program: Who Qualifies and What You Get

Learn how landowners can receive financial assistance to protect agricultural lands and wetlands through conservation easements.

This program provides financial support to landowners who want to protect their working agricultural lands or wetlands from being developed.

Who it's for

This program is designed for landowners who are looking for ways to protect their working agricultural lands or wetlands.

What you get

You can receive financial assistance to purchase conservation easements. These easements are legal agreements that restrict future development on your land to ensure it remains protected.

What it costs you

While you receive financial support, the trade-off is a permanent or long-term deed restriction placed on your property title. This means the restrictions on how the land can be used stay with the property for a very long time.

The catch to know

The application and approval process is not simple. It involves complex legal requirements, including formal appraisals and thorough title searches to finalize the easement.

How to apply

  1. Review the eligibility requirements for your specific type of land.
  2. Prepare to undergo legal appraisals and title searches.
  3. Contact your local office to begin the application process.
  4. Visit the official portal for more details: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/acep-agricultural-conservation-easement-program