Other Grant Opportunities

Are you a farmer with a deep connection to your land or interest in protecting the future of the nation’s food supply? Maybe you’re an agricultural landowner or eligible entity interested in protecting the integrity of your property? Why not consider safeguarding your land with a conservation easement through the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS accepts applications year round; however, applications for FY2023 funding are being accepted from now until January 31, 2023.

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. Under the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) component funds are provided to eligible entities that use ACEP funding to purchase permanent agricultural land easements that not only protect the future of the nation’s food supply, but also support environmental quality, wildlife habitat, and historic preservation and protection of open spaces. Landowner applicants who are interested must apply through an eligible entity – such as a land trust, municipality, or the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. NRCS will prioritize applications that protect agricultural uses and related conservation values of the land and those that maximize the protection of contiguous acres devoted to agricultural use.