Released by Southeast AgNet …..
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS) in Florida has announced that applications to fund agricultural easements in Florida are being accepted until April 25. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through two programs, the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE).
Through WRE, agricultural landowners and Indian tribes can apply to restore wetlands, protect wildlife habitat and recharge groundwater on their property. Eligible landowners can enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement. The voluntary nature of NRCS’ easement programs allows effective integration of wetland restoration on working landscapes, providing benefits to farmers and ranchers who enroll in the program, as well as benefits to their communities.
Through ALE, NRCS provides financial assistance to conservation partners for purchasing an easement that protects the agricultural use of cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forestland.
While agricultural land conservation easement applications are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year through a batching deadline. And again, this signup deadline is April 25t.
For more information, contact your local NRCS office or go to the Florida NRCS website.