By Jamie Martin
The administration, under the Inflation Reduction Act, has allocated substantial funding to bolster the USDA's Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2025. This initiative reflects the administration's commitment to environmental conservation and climate action by protecting agricultural lands, grasslands, and wetlands from non-conservation uses.
The ACEP, managed by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, is set to receive $500 million in 2025. This funding will aid in securing easements that prevent the conversion of grasslands to non-grassland uses and protect agricultural lands from being turned into non-agricultural zones. Specific attention is given to grasslands at high risk of conversion, which are crucial for carbon sequestration.
Applications for ACEP funding are accepted year-round, with key ranking dates set for October 4, 2024, and December 20, 2024. These funds are in addition to ongoing Farm Bill support and aim to significantly advance conservation efforts across the country.
The Inflation Reduction Act’s provision of an additional $1.4 billion over five years to the ACEP underscores the program’s critical role in mitigating climate change through sustainable land management. This funding strategy is part of a broader federal effort, including the Justice40 Initiative, which ensures that federal climate investments benefit disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by pollution.
Through these efforts, the USDA continues to streamline and enhance the efficiency of the ACEP, making it more accessible and beneficial for landowners committed to conservation.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: National